Bangladesh U-20 national team’s head coach AKM Maruful Haque, who recently made the team champions in the SAFF U-20 Championship 2024, said he can't assure that Bangladesh will qualify in the upcoming AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers.

Bangladesh U-20, who clinched their maiden SAFF U-20 title beating hosts Nepal by 4-1 goals on 28 August, will play against Syria, Guam, Vietnam and Bhutan in the five-team Group A of the AFC qualifiers on 21, 23, 27 and 29 September respectively. 

“I confidently said on 16 August in a press conference for the SAFF here that we are going there to become champions. Today I can't assure that we will qualify for the AFC. There are a lot of reasons behind it, but as a coach, I'm responsible for this failure,” said Maruful in a presser on Wednesday.

Maruful left Dhaka for Vietnam on Wednesday night with a 22-member squad. Seven players from his previous SAFF champions squad are ruled out for different reasons while six new faces have been added in the AFC squad. 

The seven players, who are missing AFC campaign, are: two goalkeepers – Mehdi Hasan Srabon and Md Asif, defender Rostom Islam Dukhu Mia, two midfielders – Chandon Roy and Mohsin Ahmed, two forwards – Rabby Hossen Rahul and Razu Ahmed Zisan.

The six faces are: two goalkeepers -- Ishaque Akando and Sohanur Rahman, two defenders -- Golam Rabby, Sirajul Islam Rana, midfielder Razu Ahmed Zisan and forward Mohammed Nazim Uddin.

Captain Ashraful Haque Asif and team manager Shahid Hossain Swapan were also present at the press conference held at the BFF house.

Bangladesh U-20 squad: goalkeepers – Ishaque Akando, Sohanur Rahman, Ismail Hossain Mahin; defenders – Imran Khan, Azizul Haque Ananto, Shakil Ahad Topu, Rajib Hossain, Parvej Ahmed, Kamacai Marma Aky, Rakib Hossain, Golam Rabby, Sirajul Islam Rana; midfielders – Asadul Islam Sakib, Ashraful Haque Asif, Iftiar Hossain, Asadul Molla, Hossain Mohammad Arian, Razu Ahmed Zisan; forwards – Iftesam Rahman Jidan, Mirajul Islam, Piash Ahmmed Nova, Moinul Islam Moin, Mohammed Nazim Uddin