Zico returns, Shadhin the new face for San Marino fixture

Bangladesh Football Federation has released a 30-man preliminary squad for the June 5 international friendly against San Marino, with PWD Sporting Club forward Minhazul Karim Shadhin emerging as the only new face in the setup.

The national team will begin its preparation camp today at Kings Arena.

Three expatriate footballers — Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome and Zayyan Ahmed -- will not join the Dhaka camp and are expected to link up directly with the squad in San Marino. Another one, Fahamedul Islam, is already in Dhaka for the camp.

Bangladesh are expected to leave for San Marino on May 31 after six days of training in Dhaka. The match will also mark the first international assignment for the team under new coach Thomas Dooley.

The preliminary squad sees a few changes from the side that faced Singapore in the previous international fixture in March this year. Arman Faysal Akash and Sumon Reza have been dropped while 
Defender Topu Barman, who missed the Singapore match due to suspension, has returned to the squad. Winger Rakib Hossain, meanwhile, has not been kept in the squad over family reasons.

The coaching staff have also reshuffled the goalkeeping options. Mitul Marma and Sujon Hossain have been joined by veteran Anisur Rahman Zico, who returns in place Mehedi Hasan Srabon.

SQUAD

Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Anisur Rahman Zico, Tariq Kazi, Topu Barman, Shakil Ahad Topu, Bishwanath Ghosh, Saad Uddin, Zayyan Ahmed, Taj Uddin, Rahmat Mia, Abdulla Omar, Sakil Hossain, Isa Faysal, Monjurur Rahman, Jamal Bhuyan, Md Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana, Mohammad Ridoy, Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Sheikh Morsalin, Syed Quazem Kirmanee, Fahamedul Islam, Sahariar Emon, Foysal Ahmed Fahim, Mohammad Ibrahim, Mirajul Islam, Minhazul Karim Shadhin, Rafiqul Islam