ASEAN Cup: Dooley names Farhaan, Shuki and Zidane in final 23

Bangladesh head coach Thomas Dooley has named a 23-member squad for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, with England-based forward Farhaan Ali Wahid and midfielder Zidane Yousuf, along with Japan-based Shuki Itofusa, included in the final squad, according to sources.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is yet to announce the squad officially, but a source close to the federation has confirmed the final list to The Daily Star.

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The inclusion of Farhaan Ali Wahid has generated particular interest, with Dooley hopeful that the England-based forward can provide Bangladesh with a cutting edge in front of goal.

Bangladesh have struggled for a proven striker in recent years, and Dooley believes Farhaan's ability to finish could make him an important addition to the national side.

“What I love about this guy [Farhan Ali Wahid] is that he knows how to finish. That's perfect,” Dooley recently told reporters at Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka.

“So, if he's coming, I really want to see him in front of the goal, making those moves and hitting the ball on target, what a lot of the players don't do.”

Farhaan currently plays for Boreham Wood FC after joining the club on loan from Fulham FC U21. He is expected to link up with the Bangladesh squad in Indonesia before the tournament begins.

Despite his enthusiasm about the forward's potential, Dooley was careful not to place excessive expectations on Farhaan, saying he does not view him in the same way as Hamza Chowdhury.

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“We have not put him under too much pressure that he needs to be the saviour. I see him as a good, talented player. He has incredible skill. He has to bring it onto the field at the professional level. If he can do that, he will be a great asset for us,” Dooley said.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup's eight-team Premier Division will get underway in Jakarta on September 25, when hosts Indonesia face Singapore after Malaysia meet guest side Bangladesh.

The inaugural 14-team competition features 11 ASEAN countries alongside Bangladesh, Pakistan and Hong Kong as guest teams. The tournament is divided into two divisions, with the six-team Challenge Division beginning on September 24.

Bangladesh have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The team will begin their campaign against Malaysia on September 25 at 3:00pm Bangladesh time at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

They will then face Singapore on September 28 at 3:00pm, before completing the group stage against hosts Indonesia on October 1 at 6:30pm.

All three of Bangladesh's group-stage matches will be played at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Group B consists of ASEAN Championship finalists Thailand and Vietnam, alongside the Philippines and Pakistan. Vietnam, who won the ASEAN Championship last month, will open their campaign against the Philippines in Bandung on September 26.

India and China were initially invited to the competition but subsequently withdrew. Media reports said India had proposed sending an alternative squad while its first team played Brazil in a high-profile friendly on October 3, the same date as the ASEAN Cup final, but FIFA did not approve the proposal.

Bangladesh squad:

Goalkeepers: Mitul Marma, Md Sujon Hossain, Md Mehdi Hasan Srabon

Defenders: Zidane Alexander Yousuf, Topu Barman, Md Shakil Ahad Topu, Md Saad Uddin, Md Rahmat Mia, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Zayyan Ahmed

Midfielders: S M Monjurur Rahman, Jamal Bhuyan, Md Sohel Rana, Sohel Rana, Md Ridoy, Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome

Forwards: Fahamedul Islam, Shekh Morsalin, Rakib Hossain, Farhaan Ali Wahid, Shuki Itofusa, Md Minhazul Karim Shadin