Bangladesh heading to Indonesia with three new expatriates including Farhan

Farhan Ali Wahid, Zidan Yusuf and Shuki Itfusa, three expatriate footballers, have secured places in the final squad for the ASEAN Cup by proving themselves in the national team camp despite not yet getting the chance to play in the red-green jersey. Bangladesh is leaving for Indonesia with these three new faces to take part in the competition.

Coach Thomas Dooley’s announced 23-member squad features these three as the new faces. The trio awaiting their debut now has the opportunity to showcase themselves on the big stage.

Team management is hopeful about attacker Farhan Ali Wahid among the newcomers. There has long been discussion about the lack of an effective centre-forward in the national team. Dooley is considering Farhan as an alternative in that position. However, he was not present in the ongoing domestic camp. This forward will join the team directly in Indonesia.

Zidan Yusuf, who caught attention in the Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers, has been called up to strengthen the defence. On the other hand, Japan-based footballer Shuki Itfusa has earned Dooley’s confidence to bring variety in the attack.

With these three newcomers, the number of expatriate footballers in the Bangladesh team has increased further. Farhan, Zidan and Shuki have joined Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Som, Tarik Kazi, Zayan Ahmed and Fahamidul Islam who were already with the team.

However, experienced players have not been dropped to make space for the newcomers. Dooley has built the team combining youth and experience. Along with captain Jamal Bhuyan, defenders Topu Barman, Saad Uddin and Rahmat Mia, proven players like Sheikh Morsalin and Rakib Hossain are also there in midfield and attack. The coach has tried to maintain balance in every position from goalkeeper to attack.

The Bangladesh team will leave for Indonesia tomorrow to take part in the ASEAN Cup. The red-green side’s ASEAN Cup mission will begin with the match against Malaysia on September 25. Thereafter Dooley’s boys will take the field against Singapore on September 28 and host Indonesia on October 1.

The 23-member squad for the ASEAN Cup includes Mitul Marma, Sujan Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Topu Barman, Shakil Ahad Topu, Saad Uddin, Rahmat Mia, Tarik Kazi, Zayan Ahmed, Zidan Yusuf, Manzurur Rahman, Jamal Bhuyan, Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana Junior, Mohammad Hridoy, Sheikh Morsalin, Rakib Hossain, Minhajul Karim Swadhin, Fahamidul Islam, Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Som, Farhan Ali Wahid and Shuki Itfusa.