Jakarta, Sep 25 (V7N)- Bangladesh have announced their starting XI for their opening FIFA ASEAN Cup match against Malaysia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Friday.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 PM Bangladesh time. FIFA lists the fixture as the opening Division 1 Group A match of the tournament.
Bangladesh’s starting lineup is:
Goalkeeper: Mehedi Hasan Srabon
Defenders: Saad Uddin, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Zayyan Ahmed, Shakil Ahad Topu
Midfielders: Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Sohel Rana Sr. (Captain)
Forwards: Farhaan Ali Wahid, Rakib Hossain and Fahamedul Islam
England-based forward Farhaan Ali Wahid is set to make his international debut for Bangladesh after earning his first call-up to the national team. He is expected to operate on the left wing.
Jamal Bhuiyan and Sheikh Morsalin have not been included in the starting XI. Rakib Hossain returns to the lineup after missing Bangladesh’s previous international match against San Marino.
Bangladesh enter the match ranked 181st in the FIFA rankings, while Malaysia are ranked 136th. Malaysia therefore hold the higher position in the current rankings.
The match marks Bangladesh’s first appearance in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup. The team are drawn in Group A alongside Malaysia, Singapore and hosts Indonesia.
Under German-American head coach Thomas Dooley, Bangladesh will look to begin their campaign with a positive result against Malaysia before facing Singapore on September 28 and Indonesia on October 1.
END/SMA/AJ
