Ronan Sullivan is set to join Bangladesh for the SAFF Championship after confirming his availability for the tournament, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) vice-president Fahad Karim said on Thursday.
The US-based forward helped Bangladesh win the SAFF Under-20 Championship in April and is now in line for a chance with the senior national team. His participation had been uncertain, but Fahad said Sullivan had confirmed he could travel to Bangladesh.
“Alhamdulillah, he confirmed to me today that, God willing, he will be able to come,” Fahad told reporters at the BFF headquarters. “October 18 is the deadline for player registration. We will include him in the squad.”
The 15th edition of the SAFF Championship will take place in Dhaka from November 5 to 17. Bangladesh have been looking for a recognised centre-forward, and Sullivan’s arrival could give head coach Thomas Dooley another option in attack.
Sullivan caught attention during Bangladesh’s title-winning campaign at the Under-20 tournament in the Maldives in April. Bangladesh beat India 4-3 on penalties in the final after the match finished goalless, securing their second consecutive title.
The forward made an immediate impact in the group stage, scoring twice from a free-kick and a header in a 2-0 win over Pakistan. He also converted his penalty in the final shoot-out against India.
His performances made him one of the standout players in Bangladesh’s successful youth campaign. The senior tournament would represent a significant step up, with the forward now in line to compete for a place against regional opposition.
Bangladesh have been drawn in Group A alongside Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Group B comprises defending champions India, the Maldives and Pakistan.
Nepal will miss the tournament because of a FIFA suspension, leaving six teams to compete in the 15th edition. All matches are scheduled to take place at Dhaka’s National Stadium.
The group stage will be followed by the two semi-finals on November 14, with the final scheduled for November 17.
With the registration deadline approaching on October 18, the BFF now plans to complete Sullivan’s inclusion in the squad ahead of the home tournament.
