Suman looking to strike on debut
Suman Reza is likely to debut and pair with Nabib Newaj Jibon up front in the first of two FIFA international friendlies against Nepal at Bangabandhu National Stadium today.
British coach Jamie Day yesterday announced the final 23-member squad, which also saw recalls for fit-again striker Jibon and holding midfielder Atiqur Rahman Fahad, who had been out of the squad after picking up an injury during Asian Games in Indonesia 2018.
Day had included four new faces -- Finland-born Tariq Raihan Kazi, Nazmul Islam Rasel, MS Bablu and Suman Reza -- in a preliminary 36-member squad, with Bablu and Suman making the final cut.
The significant exclusions were goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana and Raihan Hasan, who had both been part of Day's starting eleven in the past few international matches.
The 41-year-old is thinking of playing a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 against Nepal in order to get his players ready for their tough assignment against Qatar in December.
It was also learned that he may make three to four changes to the eleven that started against Burundi in January during the Bangabandhu Gold Cup, with Suman, Manik Molla and Bishwanath set for starts while Anisur Rahman Zico and Shahidul Alam Sohel are competing for a place between the posts.
"The main target was to regain fitness during the camp. If I can start in the eleven, then my dream will come true and I want to make my debut memorable by scoring goals," Suman told The Daily Star.
Explaining Rana's exclusion, Day said: "I know what Rana can do, so I want to see how someone else does in a national team situation. That's the point of friendlies."
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