Two new faces in preliminary squad for SAFF Championship

Two new faces were included in the 35-member preliminary squad for next month's FIFA friendly against Cambodia and subsequent SAFF Championship in India.

Mohammedan Sporting Club's defender Murad Hossain and Fortis FC forward Rafiqul Islam are the two new faces in the squad which was released today following a meeting of the National teams Committee.

The 25-year-old Murad played in five matches in the Bangladesh Premier League while 23-year-old Rafiqul played in 12 matches for Fortis FC, failing to score any goals.

The training camp for the two assignments will start on June 4 but the squad size will be trimmed to 27 members by that time.

Javier Cabrera, the head coach of the national team, said the players were rewarded for their performance in the ongoing season.

"We have a few new players. They have been selected on the basis of their performance. We hope we can do something positive with this team in the SAFF Championship," the Spaniard said at a press conference.

The SAFF Championship will be held in Bengaluru from June 21 to July 4, with Kuwait and Lebanon joining as invited teams alongside six teams from the South Asian region excluding Sri Lanka, who are serving a FIFA suspension.

The coach said they would be targeting the semifinals of the regional event and take inspiration from the women's team, who won their maiden SAFF Championship title last year.

"Our first target would be to qualify for the semifinals. We know it's a challenge but we are hopeful we can overcome the challenge," Cabrera said.

"The women's team's success is an inspiration for us. They are champions and this is a motivation for us," the Spaniard added.

BFF's executive committee member Amer Khan has been named as the team manager for the two assignments.

Preliminary Squad:

Goalkeepers: Anisur Rahman Zico, Sahidul Alam, Mitul Marma, Mehdi Hasan Srabon

Defenders: Topu Barman, Yeasin Arafat, Bishwanath Ghosh, Rimon Hossain, Tutul Hosain Badsha, Tariq Kazi, Rahmat Mia, Isa Faysal, Saad Uddin, Mehedi Hasan Mithu

Midfielders: Sohel Rana, Masuk Mia Zoni, Alomgir Molla, Mohammad Ridoy, Sohel Rana, Mahadi Hasan Royel, Jamal Bhuyan, Hemonta Vincent Biswas, Murad Hasan, Sahariar Emon, Mojibor Rahman Jony, Rabiul Hasan, Abu Shaeid

Forwards: Rakib Hossain, Suman Reza, Matin Mia, Aminur Rahman Sojib, Eleta Kingsley, Foysal Ahmed Fahim, Mohammad Ibrahim, Rafiqul Islam