Ronan Sullivan and Mohammad Mahi Khan have earned their first senior national team call-ups as Bangladesh named a 28-member preliminary squad for the SAFF Championship on Saturday.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) included the two young forwards following their performances at youth and club level.
Both players have already represented Bangladesh at the Under-20 level but are yet to make their senior international debuts. The selectors also brought back several experienced players. Defenders Topu Barman and Isa Faysal returned to the squad alongside Mohammad Ibrahim and Kazem Shah.
However, Shahriar Emon, Shakil Ahad Topu and SM Manjurur Rahman missed out after featuring in the ASEAN Cup squad. Emon had scored against Indonesia in that competition.
Ronan played an important role in Bangladesh’s SAFF Under-20 Championship victory in April. The forward scored twice against Pakistan on his debut. He also converted his penalty in the shootout against India in the final to help Bangladesh win the title.
Born in the United States, Ronan currently plays for Saint Joseph’s Hawks.
Mahi, meanwhile, has impressed with his performances in English club football. The England-born striker plays for Moulton FC in the ninth tier of English football. He has scored nine goals in seven appearances this season.
Mahi has also played for Bangladesh’s Under-20 team. His recent performances have now earned him an opportunity to train with the senior national side.
The preliminary squad also includes regular national team players Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Jamal Bhuyan, Rakib Hossain and Sheikh Morsalin.
Bangladesh’s 28-member preliminary squad:
Mitul Marma, Sujan Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Topu Barman, Bishwanath Ghosh, Saad Uddin, Rahmat Mia, Zidane Alexander Yousuf, Isa Faysal, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Zayyan Ahmed, Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana Junior, Hridoy, Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Kazem Shah, Jamal Bhuyan, Farhaan Ali Wahid, Sheikh Morsalin, Rakib Hossain, Faisal Ahmed Fahim, Fahamedul Islam, Mohammad Ibrahim, Shuki Itofusa, Minhajul Karim Swadhin, Ronan Benjamin Sullivan and Mohammad Mahi Khan
