Manik gets a call-up for Bangabandhu Gold Cup

Defensive midfielder Manik Hossain Mollah got his first call-up, while defenders Topu Borman and Sushanta Tripura rejoined the Bangladesh men’s football team’s 23-member squad for the Bangabandhu Gold Cup. 

Topu and Sushanta, both important players, missed the last World Cup qualifying match due to injury. In-order to pave the way for their return, head coach Jamie Day has cut out-of-form striker Tawhidul Alam Sobuz and young defender Yeasin Arafat. Forward Biplo Ahmed has been dropped due to injury. 

Assistant coach Stuart Watkiss was hopeful about Bangladesh’s prospects in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup.

“Manik Mollah played brilliantly for Chittagong Abahani. Both Topu and Sushantha are experienced and proven performers. We have formed a balanced side with good players in each and every position. We want to do well in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup,” Watkiss told journalists Monday.

Bangladesh football team head coach Jamie Day has set his sights on reaching the semi-final of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, but admitted that fatigue is a concern as the national players have had a busy yearhttps://t.co/7ooIRvBTej#FOOTBALL #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHFOOTBALL #BFF #DAY

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) January 4, 2020

Topu was injured while playing for Abahani Limited in last season’s AFC Cup. He was out of action and underwent a surgery, but returned in brilliant form in the recently concluded Federation Cup for champions Bashundhara Kings. 

The defender said he was excited to regain his place in the national-fold. 

“I am feeling really well. I had faith that I could return. I had to work hard for it and now the challenge is to gain a place in the playing XI,” Topu said. 

#Bangladesh drawn with #Palestine, #Sri #Lanka https://t.co/w3Yb23qqlZ

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) January 4, 2020

The players have been asked to report to Fars Hotel by Wednesday evening as training will commence on Thursday, the same day Day is set to arrive. 

Captain Jamal Bhuiyan, who has been busy with his nuptials this week, will join the squad with Day. Meanwhile, the Kings players will join-up the next day. 

The Bangabandhu Gold Cup will take place from January 15 to 25. 

Palestine and Sri Lanka have been placed in the same group as Bangladesh, while African sides Burundi, Seychelles and Mauritius will feature in the other group. 

Bangladesh squad:

Goalkeepers- Anisur Rahman Zico, Shahidul Alam Sohel and Ashraful Islam Rana.

Defenders- Topu Barman, Yeasin Khan, Sushanta Tripura, Rayhan Hasan, Tutul Hossain Badsha, Riyadul Hasan and Rahmat Mia.

Midfielders- Rabiul Hasan, Saad Uddin, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Sohel Rana, Jamal Bhuiyan and Manik Hossain Mollah.

Forwards-Mahbubur Rahman Sufil, Bishonath Gosh, Motin Miah, Mohammad Ibrahim, Nabib Newaz Jibon, Arifur Rahman and Rakib Hossain.