Thomas Dooley has named his final 23-man Bangladesh squad for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, with England-based forward Farhaan Ali Wahid, defender Zidane Yousuf and Japan-based attacker Shuki Itofusa included.
The three players have yet to make their Bangladesh senior debuts. They now have their first chance to represent the national team on a major international stage.
Farhaan has attracted particular attention. The Boreham Wood forward joined the National League club on loan from Fulham Under-21s and will link up with the Bangladesh squad in Indonesia.
Dooley sees the 19-year-old as another option in attack, particularly in front of goal.
“What I love about this guy [Farhan Ali Wahid] is that he knows how to finish. That’s perfect,” Dooley recently told reporters at Bashundhara Kings Arena.
“So, if he’s coming, I really want to see him in front of the goal, making those moves and hitting the ball on target, what a lot of the players don’t do.”
The Bangladesh coach, however, does not want Farhaan to carry the burden of rescuing the team.
“We have not put him under too much pressure that he needs to be the saviour. I see him as a good, talented player. He has incredible skill. He has to bring it onto the field at the professional level. If he can do that, he will be a great asset for us,” Dooley said.
Zidane, meanwhile, offers another option in defence. He caught the eye during the AFC Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers before earning his place in the senior squad.
Shuki’s inclusion gives Dooley another attacking option. The Japan-based player joins a group of expatriate footballers already involved with Bangladesh, including Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Zayyan Ahmed and Fahamedul Islam.
The final squad also includes established figures such as captain Jamal Bhuyan, Topu Barman, Saad Uddin, Rahmat Mia, Sheikh Morsalin and Rakib Hossain.
Bangladesh will open their ASEAN Cup campaign against Malaysia on September 25 at 3pm Bangladesh time at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
They will then face Singapore on September 28 before meeting hosts Indonesia on October 1. All three Group A matches will take place at Gelora Bung Karno.
The eight-team Premier Division also features Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in Group A, while Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Pakistan form Group B.
Bangladesh will travel to Indonesia before the tournament as Dooley prepares his side for three group-stage matches against ASEAN opposition.
Bangladesh squad:
Goalkeepers: Mitul Marma, Md Sujon Hossain, Md Mehdi Hasan Srabon
Defenders: Zidane Alexander Yousuf, Topu Barman, Md Shakil Ahad Topu, Md Saad Uddin, Md Rahmat Mia, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Zayyan Ahmed
Midfielders: S M Monjurur Rahman, Jamal Bhuyan, Md Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana, Md Ridoy, Md Minhazul Karim Shadin, Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome
Forwards: Fahamedul Islam, Shekh Morsalin, Rakib Hossain, Farhaan Ali Wahid, Shuki Itofusa
