India’s coach Khalid Jamil made significant efforts to include Australian-born Ryan Williams in his squad for the upcoming match against Bangladesh, but unfortunately, those attempts have been unsuccessful. Despite India’s best efforts to secure his inclusion, FIFA’s delayed approval means that Williams will not be on the pitch when India faces Bangladesh at 8 PM tonight.
According to team sources, the final squad list of 23 players was due to be submitted to the match commissioner by 11:59 PM yesterday. India waited until the last moment, but they did not receive the necessary approval from FIFA in time. This means the much-anticipated Australian expatriate, who has represented Australia at various age levels and the senior team, will not feature in this crucial game.
India’s Late Struggles with FIFA Approval for Ryan Williams
The situation unfolded on Monday afternoon, during the manager’s meeting for both teams at 4 PM. As per the usual regulations, both teams were required to submit their 23-player squad list on the day before the match. India, however, did not submit their squad list immediately and instead requested more time to secure FIFA’s approval. Despite receiving clearance from Football Australia, FIFA held back India’s approval, delaying the process further.
Ryan Williams, who holds an Australian passport through family ties, could not be fast-tracked into the Indian team. Although he had represented Australia at youth levels and in senior international football, the process of switching national teams is often lengthy and complicated. Khalid Jamil had called Williams into the squad and even brought him to Dhaka, but with FIFA’s delay, his participation was effectively blocked.
Bangladesh’s Squad and the Latest Changes: Who Made the Cut?
In contrast, Bangladesh’s coach Javier Cabrera did not waste any time. After a practice session at the National Stadium, he promptly submitted his final 23-player squad list to the match commissioner the same evening. There were some notable exclusions from the squad, including striker Mohammad Al-Amin, goalkeeper Pappu Hossain, and defender Rahmat Mia.
However, there were some surprises in the inclusion list. Kazem Shah, who had not been part of the squad for the previous match against Hong Kong, has been included for the game against India. Rahmat Mia and Mohammad Ibrahim, both of whom are struggling with injuries, were replaced by Cuba Mitchell and Morshed Ali, who were called up to the camp. Although Morshed has been left out of the squad, Cuba has secured his spot.
Despite a slight injury, Sheikh Morsalin is still part of Bangladesh’s plans for the match, as Cabrera has indicated that the talented winger could feature if needed.
Table: India and Bangladesh Squad Updates
| India Squad Exclusions | Bangladesh Squad Exclusions |
|---|---|
| Ryan Williams (due to FIFA delay) | Mohammad Al-Amin |
| Pappu Hossain | |
| Rahmat Mia | |
| Morshed Ali |
As the match approaches, both teams are facing their own set of challenges. India is left scrambling after the unexpected rejection of Williams, while Bangladesh’s squad has been reshuffled due to injuries and tactical decisions. The stage is set for what could be a thrilling encounter, but it will certainly be a match of high stakes for both sides as they look to secure a crucial win.
