Defender Isa Faisal dropped from Bangladesh SAFF squad, Taj Uddin and Sojib make the 28

Defender Isa Faisal has been dropped from the Bangladesh squad for the SAFF Championship. After a week of training at the national team camp, he left the camp today, team sources have confirmed.

Isa Faisal was once a regular defender in the national team, but he has been irregular over the past two years — sometimes in the starting eleven, sometimes not even called up to the preliminary squad. His omission from the SAFF camp continues that pattern.

After Thomas Dooley became Bangladesh's coach, Isa played in the first eleven in San Marino. He was also in the squad for the ASEAN Cup in Indonesia. This time, however, he could not hold his place in the SAFF squad.

With Ronan and Isa dropped, Taj Uddin and Abdullah Omar Sojib, who were called into the camp later, have entered the 28-man squad.

Among the other players, Bishwanath, Sohel and Kazem have been carrying pain but are largely on the way to recovery.

The 28-man list was due to be submitted to SAFF on October 18. According to the manager, coach Dooley gave the 28 names to the federation on time, although the federation has not yet submitted the list to SAFF — which is why the team later had the opportunity to call up two more players. The BFF is expected to submit the list to SAFF tomorrow.

The Bangladesh team will train tomorrow at the Bashundhara Kings Arena.

Among the competing teams, Bhutan arrived in Dhaka today. Sri Lanka will arrive tomorrow at noon. India and Pakistan are also expected to come.