Preliminary squad for SAFF Championship announced

The National Team Management Committee of Bangladesh Football Federation announced Thursday a 26- member preliminary squad for the 9th SAFF Championship to be held in New Delhi December 2-11, reports BSS. Bangladesh are placed in a very tough group and will take on Pakistan in the inaugural match at the Jawhar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on December 2. Eight teams from South Asian countries are taking part in the meet divided into two groups. The top two teams would qualify for semifinals on December 8 and December 9. Bangladesh are placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Nepal and the Maldives while Group B team comprises hosts India, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh's second match will be held against Nepal on December 4 and Bangladesh will face Maldives on December 6 at the same venue. The 10-day mega soccer event of South Asia will conclude on December 11 as the final encounter is scheduled to be played at the same venue. Six players-Topu, Raihan, Shahed, Wahid, Anik and Malek - were included for their impressive performance in the just concluded Walton AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers though Bangladesh won only one match in that competition held in Dhaka from Oct 25 to Nov 2. Bangladesh Squad: Goalkeeper: Mamun Khan, Biplob Bhattacharjee, Shahidul Alam Sohel. Defense: Nasirul Islam Nasir, Tapu Barman, Mohammad Sujan, Mamun Mia, Ariful Islam Arif, Raihan Hassan, Rezaul Karim, Yamin Ahmed Chowdhury Munna, Midfield: Prantosh Kumar Das, Mezbaul Haque Manik, Emon Ahmed Babu, Shahedur Alam Shahed, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Ashraf Mahmud Linkon, Abdul Baten Majumdar Komol, Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan, Shakil Ahmed, Atiqur Rahman Meshu, Strikers: Towhidul Alam Towhid, Wahid Ahmed, Anik, Zahid Hasan Emily, Abdul Malek. The team will play a preparatory match against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club today (Friday) at 3:30 pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.