Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh Football team left Dhaka for Maldives on Tuesday to take part in the SAFF Championship, the most prestigious football competition of South Asian region.
Before leaving the country, newly appointed Head Coach of Bangladesh Football team Oscar Bruzon announced on Monday night the 23-member Bangladesh Football team for the upcoming SAFF Championship. Eleta Kingsley, the Nigerian-born footballer, who got citizenship of Bangladesh recently could not go to Male as he did not get clearance from FIFA, the highest governing body of world football.
Defender Mohammad Atiquzzaman of Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited, defender Mehedi Hasan of Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra, midfielder Manik Hossain Molla of Chittagong Abahani Limited were dropped from the squad. Forward Hridoy Khan of Dhaka Abahani Limited has been included in the squad.
The players, who have been chosen, are: Sahidul Alam, Ashraful Islam Rana, Anisur Rahman Zico (Goalkeepers), Rahmat Mia, Topu Barman, Riyadul Hasan Rafi, Yeasin Arafat, Bishwanath Ghosh, Tariq Rahman Kazi, Rezaul Karim, Tutul Hossain Badshah (Defenders), Jamal Bhuiyan, Sohel Rana, Saad Uddin, Rakib Hossain, Atiqur Rahman Fahad (Midfielders), Mahbubur Rahman Sufil, Sumon Reza, Matin Mia, Biplo Ahmed, Jewel Rana, Hridoy Khan and Mohammad Ibrahim (Forwards).
A number of five teams will take part in the SAFF Championship. They are: Hosts Maldives, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The first phase of the tournament will be held on Single League basis. Top two teams will play in the final. Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka on October 1, the red-and-green outfit will face India on October 4, Bangladesh will meet Maldives on October 7, Bangladesh will play against Nepal on October 13. The final will be held on October 16.
