The Bangladesh national football team has unveiled its final 22-member squad for the upcoming tour of Vietnam. Head coach Javier Cabrera made the decisive cut from an initial 28-player preliminary list, excluding six players in a last-minute adjustment ahead of the tour.
Preparations in Dhaka
The team underwent an intensive week-long training camp in Dhaka, focusing on fitness, tactical drills, and team cohesion. Among the notable additions is Hamza Chowdhury, a midfielder from Leicester City in England, who will join the squad directly in Hanoi ahead of the matches. His inclusion brings a blend of international experience and technical finesse to the midfield.
Players Dropped from Preliminary Squad
Six players were released from the 28-member preliminary squad, across various positions:
| Position | Player Name |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Ishak Akand |
| Defender | Isa Faisal |
| Defender | Manjurur Rahman Manik |
| Defender | Shakil Hossain |
| Midfielder | Sohel Rana Junior |
| Forward | Rafiqul Islam |
Vietnam Tour Schedule
The Bangladesh squad is scheduled to fly to Hanoi on Friday night. The tour will begin with a friendly against the hosts, Vietnam, allowing the team to assess its strengths and refine strategies. Following the friendly, the squad will proceed to Singapore for the final match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, where they will face the host team in a critical fixture.
Final 22-Member Squad
The confirmed squad for the tour is as follows:
| Position | Player Names |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Shrabon |
| Defenders | Tarik Kazi, Rahmat Mia, Shakil Ahad Topu, Abdullah Omar, Zayan Ahmed, Bishwanath Ghosh, Sad Uddin |
| Midfielders | Hamza Chowdhury, Shah Kazem Kirmani, Sheikh Morsalin, Jamal Bhuiya, Sohel Rana, Mohammad Hriday, Shomit Som |
| Forwards | Arman Faisal Akash, Emon Shahriar, Faisal Ahmed Fahim, Fahamedul Islam, Mirazul Islam, Sumon Reza |
Preparation and Objectives
Coach Cabrera emphasises the significance of the Vietnam fixture as a preparatory step for the team. According to him, the squad is currently in strong physical condition, united in approach, and tactically prepared. The inclusion of Hamza and Shomit adds both international experience and technical strength to the team.
The team’s immediate focus is to deliver peak performances in every match while simultaneously preparing for future international tournaments. These fixtures in Vietnam and Singapore are expected to provide both strategic and psychological preparation, enhancing the team’s cohesion and competitive edge.
Ultimately, this final squad aims to raise the standard of Bangladeshi football, pushing the team towards consistent international-level performance and demonstrating resilience and skill on the field.