Four booters left out of squad after testing positive

National footballer Bishwanath Gosh, Suman Reza, MS Bablu and Nazmul Islam Rasel have been left out of the squad temporarily after testing positive for coronavirus today ahead of the national team's camp for the joint Qualifiers for World Cup and Asian Cup in Gazipur, starting from tomorrow. 

With the temporary exclusion of the aforementioned four players, the number of 36-member preliminary squad has now reduced to 29 as Bashundhara Kings did not release three fit players - Masuk Mia Jonny, Atiqur Rahman Fahad and Matin Mia.

All selected booters of the preliminary squad were asked to undergo the coronavirus test before reporting to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) for today's second Covid-19 test. While Bashundhara Kings player Bishwanath was found positive in his first coronavirus test, the three other newcomers were found positive after today's test. And hence these four players could not join the squad that will leave for Gazipur today.

Team manager Satyajit Das Rupu confirmed the news today. 

"Bishwanath underwent the coronavirus test on August 3 and today he received his report which is positive. That's why we have kept him out of the squad temporarily. He today again did the coronavirus test on his own accord as he has no symptoms of coronavirus.

"We have also received the reports of coronavirus test [that was done today] and three more players were found positive. They will undergo another test a week later and come into the national camp, subject to their coronavirus negative reports," said Rupu.