Danish footballer in line to represent Bangladesh

DHAKA: Bangladesh have included Danish-born midfielder Jamal Bhuyan in their provisional squad for next month's 2014 World Cup qualifier against Pakistan, making him the first European-based player to be called up.

"For some time we have been scouting talent among Bangladeshis living abroad and Jamal is the one we are really looking at," said Badal Roy, chairman of the national team management committee.

"We saw his game on the internet and talked to him over the phone. He is really keen to play for Bangladesh," said Badal.

Jamal, son of a Bangladeshi family living in Denmark, was born and brought up in Copenhagen and played for FC Copenhagen, one of the country's top clubs, at under-19 level.

The midfielder, who moved to second tier team Hellerup IK on a free transfer in 2009, was brought to the attention of Bangladesh by an agent, officials said.

Jamal, who has a Danish passport, will have a trial under Bangladesh's Croatian coach Robert Rubcic who will then decide whether to include him in the final 18-man squad.

Born to a Bangladeshi family living in Denmark, Bhuyan was born and brought up in the Copenhagen and also played for FC Copenhagen at Under-19 level.

Explaining the decision to include the 21-year-old in the provisional squad, chairman of the national team management committee Badal Roy said: "For some time we have been scouting talent among Bangladeshis living abroad and Jamal is the one we are really looking at.

“We saw his game on the internet and talked to him over the phone. He is really keen to play for Bangladesh.”

However, the decision to include Bhuyan, who possesses a Danish passport, in the final 18-man squad rests with the national team coach Robert Rubcic.

For some days we are scouting talents among Bangladeshis living abroad and Jamal is the one who we are really looking for. We saw his game on the internet and talked to him over phone. He is really keen to play for Bangladesh,’ said Badal.

Badal said Jamal, who holds a Danish passport, will arrive in Dhaka in mid-June to face a trial. If coach Robert Rubcic likes him he will be picked to play for Bangladesh in the World Cup pre-qualifiers against Pakistan.

Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the first leg match on June 29 in Islamabad and the return leg will be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on July 3.

The BFF will trim down the 27-member squad to 18 before Rubcic starts his training camp.

Apart from the inclusion of Jamal, the preliminary squad features no surprises. Seasoned player Enamul Haque, Waly Faisal and Tauhidul Alam Sabuj did not find any place in the squad yet again having been overlooked in AFC Challnge Cup in March.