Following the conclusion of the 11th round of the Bangladesh Premier League on Saturday, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Sunday officially announced a 28-member preliminary squad for the national training camp, which is set to commence in the capital on Monday. This camp marks the beginning of a high-stakes international window for the Red and Green as they prepare for a FIFA international friendly against Vietnam on March 26 and a critical final Group C match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers against Singapore on 31 March at Kallang Stadium.
The players have been instructed to report for the camp on 16 March, where they will reside at a hotel in Gulshan and conduct their training sessions at the Kings Arena. The tactical preparation in Dhaka will be bolstered by the early arrival of overseas-based talent, including US-based defender Zayyan Ahmed, who reached Dhaka on Saturday night. He is expected to be joined by Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome, Italy-based forward Fahamedul Islam, and defender Tariq Kazi by the start of the session.
A significant development in the squad’s preparation is the planned arrival of English Championship midfielder Hamza Choudhury. While he will miss the initial Dhaka phase, Hamza is scheduled to link up with the national team directly in Vietnam on 22 March. The team will depart for Vietnam on 20 March to finalize their preparations ahead of the friendly, which the coaching staff views as a vital litmus test before the squad flies to Singapore on 27 March for the Asian Cup qualifier.
Following the conclusion of the international fixtures, the team is scheduled to return to Dhaka on 1 April.
The 28-man squad includes goalkeepers Mitul Marma, Md Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon, and Ishaque Akondo. The defensive line consists of Tariq Kazi, Rahmat Mia, Shakil Ahad Topu, Md Abdullah Omar, Sakil Hossain, Zayyan Ahmed, Biswanath Ghosh, Saad Uddin, Monjurur Rahman, and Isa Faysal. The midfield will be marshaled by Shah Quazem Kirmanee, Shekh Morselin, Jamal Bhuyan, Sohel Rana, MD Sohel Rana, MD Ridoy, and Shamit Shome. The attacking options for the upcoming assignments include Arman Foysal Akash, Emon Shahriar, Faysal Ahmed Fahim, Fahamedul Islam, Mirajul Islam, Rafiqul Islam, and Sumon Reza.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
