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.
Bangladesh face Pakistan in the first leg of their Asian zone first round qualifier on June 29 in Islamabad with the return leg in Dhaka on July 3.
The winners will face Lebanon in the second preliminary round.
Although soccer is hugely popular in Bangladesh, the national team is a lowly 163rd in the FIFA rankings, five places above rivals Pakistan.
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