Can Bangladesh end 23-year wait amid uncertainty?

Bangladesh head into the SAFF Championship with a 23-year title drought to end, but their preparations have raised more questions than answers, with no warm-up matches, uncertainty over squad selection and a late injury setback.

Coach Thomas Dooley has kept the national team behind closed doors as they look to move on from their ASEAN Cup disappointment and make a fresh bid for regional glory. The six-team tournament begins on 5 November.

The secrecy was evident during Bangladesh's training session at Bashundhara Sports Arena on Tuesday, with reporters and photographers restricted to the area outside the touchline and denied access to players and coaching staff.

Bangladesh arrived in Dhaka on Monday and began training the following day. They will face Bhutan in the opener before taking on Sri Lanka in their second group match.

However, despite starting their camp on 25 October, Bangladesh have not played a single warm-up match. Their last international outing was against Indonesia. The BFF cited the tournament's timing outside the FIFA window and concerns over last-minute injuries as reasons for not arranging a friendly.

Squad uncertainty has added to the concerns. Although the preliminary 28-member list cannot be changed under tournament regulations, Abdullah Omar Sajib and Taj Uddin have received late call-ups, while defender Isa Faisal has been released. The management has also remained tight-lipped about Ronan Sullivan's replacement following his injury.

There is some relief, with Hamza Choudhury and Farhaan Ali Wahid expected to miss only the opening match against Bhutan and return for the Sri Lanka game.

Captain Jamal Bhuyan is set for his fifth SAFF appearance, while Topu Barman and Sohel Rana will feature in their fourth editions. For Zayyan Ahmed, Fahamedul Islam and Hamza, it will be their first experience of the competition.

Bangladesh also have a goalkeeping decision to make, with Mitul Marma, Sujon and Shrabon competing for the starting position. Rakib Hossain is expected to lead the attacking charge.

With Dooley maintaining a media blackout, the team have offered little insight into their readiness. Their first real answers will come against Bhutan on 5 November, when Bangladesh begin another attempt to end more than two decades of waiting for regional glory.