Cabrera names 28-man squad for Hong Kong mission

Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera has named a 28-member preliminary squad for crucial Asian Cup qualifiers against Hong Kong, with the training camp set to begin on September 29.

The squad includes new faces and returning diaspora players like Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome, but notably excludes Cuba Mitchell, sparking speculation among football circles.

The squad includes 11 players from Bashundhara Kings, followed by five each from Abahani Limited Dhaka and Mohammedan SC.

Additional selections come from Brothers Union, Fortis FC and PWD SC, along with four overseas-based players.

After missing the September international window, Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome are set to join the national team this time. Italian-based Fahmidul Islam is also expected in camp.

A fresh face in senior squad is Zayan Ahmed, a standout performer in Bangladesh’s U-23 campaign in Vietnam.

Zayan, based in the United States and playing for George Mason University, caught Cabrera’s eye and has now earned his first senior call-up.

However, the most talked-about omission is Cuba Mitchell, the England-born midfielder who recently signed with Bashundhara Kings and played for Bangladesh’s U-23s in AFC qualifiers.

Despite being in the system and eligible, Mitchell’s name was missing from the release list sent to Kings, raising eyebrows across the football community.

Back in June, Mitchell was a hot topic regarding his potential inclusion in the national team and his exclusion now is likely to spark renewed debate.

Notably, he wasn’t even named in Bashundhara Kings’ squad for the first Federation Cup match.

Bashundhara Kings, which had previously delayed player release during the September window, has now agreed to send their players from September 29, recognizing the importance of the upcoming qualifier.

Players have been instructed to report to Team Manager Amer Khan at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka by Monday afternoon, bringing their training gear.

Coach Cabrera, who briefly returned to Spain after the Nepal friendly, is now back in Dhaka and has already resumed domestic scouting.

On Friday, he watched Abahani vs Rahmatganj match at Munshiganj before the squad was officially unveiled.

While traditionally BFF would send a full player list along with the release letters, this time they opted for a club-wise breakdown, listing only the players relevant to each club.

The official squad announcement was expected yesterday but may now follow today’s league matches.

Bangladesh’s away match in Hong Kong is scheduled for October 14 and BFF plans to obtain visas for more than just the 28 selected players as a contingency.

However, players like Hamza and Shamit; holding UK and Canadian passports, won’t require a Hong Kong visa, BFF confirmed.

Players Called Up (By Club):

Abahani Limited Dhaka: Mitul Marma, Ibrahim, Al Amin, Kazem Shah, Mohammad Morsalin

Mohammedan SC: Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Rahmat Mia, Shakil Ahad Topu, Sumon Reza

Brothers Union: Jamal Bhuiyan

Fortis FC: Abdullah Omar Sajib

PWD SC: Arman Faisal Akash

Bashundhara Kings: Mehedi Hasan Srabon, Topu Barman, Saad Uddin, Tariq Kazi, Taj Uddin, Hridoy, Sohel Rana, Mohammad Sohel Rana, Shahriar Iman, Faisal Ahmed Fahim, Rakib Hossain

Leciester City (UK): Hamza Choudhury

Cavalry FC (Canada): Shamit Shome

Olbia Calcio (Italy): Fahmidul Islam

George Mason University (USA): Zayan Ahmed