The Bangladesh national football team has announced a 28-member preliminary squad for the upcoming Dhaka training camp as preparations gather pace for two important international fixtures later this month.
The camp, set to begin today (Monday), forms part of Bangladesh's build-up to a FIFA international friendly against the Vietnam national football team on 26 March, followed by their final 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification match against the Singapore national football team on 31 March.
Although Bangladesh are already out of the running for a place in the Asian Cup finals, the fixtures still carry significance.
The friendly in Vietnam offers an opportunity to fine-tune tactics and sharpen match rhythm, while the Singapore clash provides a chance to sign off the campaign on a respectable note and potentially improve their standing in the FIFA rankings.
Head coach Javier Cabrera has included a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging prospects in the preliminary list. Goalkeepers Mitul Marma, Md Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon and Ishaque Akondo have been named, while the defensive line features familiar faces such as Tariq Raihan Kazi, Saad Uddin, Biswanath Ghosh and Rahmat Mia.
In midfield, the squad will be bolstered by the presence of captain Jamal Bhuiyan, Sohel Rana, Sheikh Morsalin and Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome. Up front, forwards such as Arman Foysal Akash, Emon Shahriar, Fahamedul Islam and Mirajul Islam will vie for attacking roles as the coaching staff assess combinations during the camp.
Several overseas-based players are expected to link up with the squad in Dhaka as the camp progresses, including Zayyan Ahmed and Fahamedul Islam. Meanwhile, England-based midfielder Hamza Choudhury will join the team later in the training cycle, linking up with the squad directly during the overseas leg of the tour.
Following several days of preparation in Dhaka, the team will travel to Vietnam before heading onward to Singapore. While qualification hopes may have faded, Bangladesh will still be eager to finish their campaign with renewed momentum, proof that even when the stakes are modest, pride and progress remain firmly on the agenda.
Squad: Mitul Marma, Md Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Ishaque Akondo, Tariq Kazi, Rahmat Mia, Shakil Ahad Topu, Md Abdullah Omar, Shakil Hossain, Zayan Ahmed, Biswanath Ghosh, Saad Uddin, Monjurul Rahman, Isa Faysal, Shah Quazem Kirmanee, Sheikh Morsalen, Jamal Bhuyan, Sohel Rana, Md Sohel Rana, Md Ridoy, Shamit Shome, Arman Foysal Akash, Emon Shahriar, Faysal Ahmed Fahim, Fahamedul Islam, Mirajul Islam, Rafiqul Islam and Sumon Reza. "BSS
