England-born winger Farhaan Ali Wahid makes his Bangladesh debut against Malaysia today as head coach Thomas Dooley makes seven changes to the starting XI for the opening match of the FIFA ASEAN Cup.
The 19-year-old starts in the 3pm match, earning his first senior appearance for Bangladesh after securing a place in Dooley’s final 23-man squad for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup.
Farhaan is part of a reshaped Bangladesh attack in Dooley’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Fahamedul Islam starts on the other flank, while Rakib Hossain operates through the middle.
Jamal Bhuiyan does not start against Malaysia after featuring in Bangladesh’s most recent match against San Marino on June 5. Sheikh Morsalin, who also started that match, is absent from today’s XI.
Dooley has also changed the goalkeeper. Bashundhara Kings goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon comes into the side in place of Mitul Marma, who started against San Marino.
The coach has made seven changes overall from the XI that began the San Marino match. Four other players from that team, Topu Barman, Isha Faysal, Faisal Ahmed Fahim and Rafik, are not part of the 23-man ASEAN Cup squad.
Farhaan’s inclusion gives Bangladesh one of the key moments of the opening match, with the teenager making his senior international debut after earning his place through the final squad selection.
The Malaysia match also marks the start of Bangladesh’s Group A campaign in the new FIFA ASEAN Cup. They will face Singapore and Indonesia in their remaining group matches.
With seven changes from the San Marino starting XI, Dooley has opted for a significantly different line-up for Bangladesh’s first match of the competition, while Farhaan gets his first opportunity to make his mark at senior international level.
Bangladesh starting XI :
Mehedi Hasan Srabon (GK), Saad Uddin, Tariq Kazi, Shakil Ahad Topu, Zayan Ahmed, Hamza Choudhury, Sohel Rana, Farhaan Ali Wahid, Shamit Shome, Fahamedul Islam and Rakib Hossain.
