Tapu Barman misses ASEAN Cup squad after injury

Veteran defender Tapu Barman has been ruled out of Bangladesh's squad for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia after suffering an injury, with head coach Thomas Dooley naming a 23-member squad for the tournament.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) announced the final squad late on Friday, with nine overseas-based players included. Among them are England-based midfielder Hamza Choudhury, Canada-based Shamit Shome, England-based forward Farhaan Ali Wahid, Japan-based Shuki Itofusa and defenders Zidan Yousuf and Zayan Ahmed.

Tapu Barman's omission is a notable blow for Dooley, who handed him a starring role in his first match in charge of Bangladesh. On 5 June,  Tapu scored both goals as Bangladesh came from behind to beat San Marino 2-1 at the San Marino Stadium in Serravalle. The victory was Bangladesh's first against European opposition and their first international match on European soil.

Tapu opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Nicolas Giacopetti equalised for San Marino. The centre-back then headed the winner in the 86th minute, giving Dooley a winning start to his tenure.

In his absence, Tariq Kazi, Rahmat Mia and Saad Uddin are among those expected to shoulder greater responsibility in defence. The final squad also includes experienced campaigners Jamal Bhuiyan and Sheikh Morsalin, alongside Choudhury and Shome in midfield.

Squad: Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon; Tariq Kazi, Shakil Ahad Tapu, Rahmat Mia, Shuki Itofusa, Zidan Yousuf, Saad Uddin, Zayan Ahmed, Manzurul Rahman; Mohammad Ridoy, Jamal Bhuiyan, Sheikh Morsalin, Hamza Choudhury, Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana Jr, Farhaan Ali Wahid, Shamit Shome; Rakib Hossain, Shahriar Emon, Fahamidul Islam, and Minhajul Karim Swadhin.