Ronan Sullivan agrees to play in SAFF Championship

Bangladesh have received a boost ahead of next month’s SAFF Championship in Dhaka, as US-based forward Ronan Sullivan has agreed to play in the tournament, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Vice-President Fahad Karim said on Thursday (October 15).

Karim confirmed that Sullivan had given his consent to participate in the regional tournament, easing uncertainty over the young forward’s availability for the national team.

Sullivan impressed in Bangladesh colours during the SAFF Under-20 Championship in the Maldives in April, helping the team clinch the title unbeaten. He scored with a free-kick and a header in Bangladesh’s 2-0 victory over Pakistan and also played a key role in the final against India.

His potential inclusion could strengthen Bangladesh’s attacking options, with the national team having long struggled to find a reliable goalscorer.

The 15th edition of the SAFF Championship is scheduled to be held at the National Stadium in Dhaka from November 4 to 17. Six teams are expected to compete after Nepal were excluded from the tournament due to a FIFA suspension.

Hosts Bangladesh have been drawn in Group A alongside Sri Lanka and Bhutan, while defending champions India, the Maldives and Pakistan are in Group B.