Dooley wants expatriates to prove themselves

Bangladesh head coach Thomas Dooley has announced a 28-member preliminary squad ahead of the ASEAN Cup and has already put the players through two days of double-session training.

However, Dooley has yet to name expatriate footballers playing abroad, as he wants to assess some of them separately.

England-based footballer Cuba Mitchell, who has also played for Bashundhara Kings, was part of the national team camp. Dooley wants to observe him in training for two to three days, but Cuba will reportedly have to travel at his own expense. This has raised questions over why a former national team player must pay to return and prove himself again.

Dooley, however, said: “I don’t see any problem with this. Anyone who wants to return to the national team has to come in front of everyone and prove himself to the new coaching staff. He has to prove that he is better than the others. If he performs well and is selected, the federation will then cover his flight expenses.”

Goalkeeper Saif Kerawala, Suki Itafka, and U-20 players Adam Abbas and Zidane Yousuf will also get two to three days to train with the national team. Their performances will determine Dooley’s selection decisions.