The Bangladesh national coach, who delayed the announcement of the final squad for minor injury problems, finalised his 20-member team for the eight-nation meet over Thursday's dinner at the BKSP.

Expectedly, fullback Wali Faisal, midfielder Faisal Mahmud and goalkeeper Atiqul Islam Tarek were dropped but Brothers Union's young forward Zahid Hossain Emily was given the opportunity to make his national debut. Midfielder Asad was the other player dropped from the 24-member list.

Emily, who has scored some wonderful goals for the Premier League champions, is the youngest member of the squad that includes mostly tested players. Moha-mmedan's Arman Aziz and Brothers' Abul Hossain are the other freshmen.

According to the team management, the in-form marksman is capable of beating any of Cruciani's favourite striking pair, Farhad and Kanchan. Shahajuddin Tipu, whose fabulous strike against India in the 1999 SAF Games semifinal helped Bangladesh ultimately win the gold medal, has returned to the national fold after five years for his experience and big-match temperament. Alfaz and Ujjal are the other two specialist attackers in the side but Cruciani has other jobs for them.

The Argentine, who took charge of the national team about two months earlier, prefers a 4-3-1-2 line-up and Alfaz and Ujjal fit in as the role of a 'free-midfielder'. In the first phase of training, he started with Ujjal but Alfaz is now his first choice in the crucial attacking midfielder position with Arman, Joy and Matiur Munna beside the veteran.

Skipper Joy, however, remains an injury concern. The defensive midfielder is nursing a hurt knee and is under treatment.

Jubair Nipu, who has been assisting Cruciani as local expert, informed yesterday that Joy has gone through ultrasonogram to confirm his injury is not serious.

"It would have been better if we could give him a week's rest for full cure but with the tournament nearing, it's not possible. The captain is very important," assistant coach Nipu said.

There were good news too as Rajani, who captained Bangladesh to the SAFF Championship triumph at home three years ago, has returned to his best and will partner Sujan in the central defence.

"Sujan is the best defender we have and Rajani has put behind his mental problems to return to form," added Nipu.

"Hassan Al Mamun and Titu are our first-choice fullbacks and we have kept Parvez Babu as their backup. He was chosen ahead of Wali because of his experience. Titu can play at both sides so we think we are covered in this area," Nipu said adding that Titu and Hassan have both recovered from minor injuries.

"Overall, the team's fitness level is satisfactory. They are gradually improving and it was proved after beating Abahani 3-2 after falling two goals behind (in the exhibition match). We just made the delay to declare the team to be certain about every one's condition."

After spending a day's break on Friday, the team will resume training today at BKSP. They will have their final training session at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on December 5.

Holders Bangladesh, pitted against Bhutan, Nepal and India in Group-A, leave Dhaka on December 6. They will begin their campaign against underdogs Bhutan on December 8.

SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Aminul Haque, Biplab Bhattachariya; Defenders: Faisal Ahmed, Mohammad Sujan, Rajani Kanta Barman, Parvez Babu, Firoz Mahmud Titu, Nazrul Islam, Hassan Al Mamun; Midfielders: Arif Khan Joy (captain), Arman Aziz, Arman Mia, Matiur Munna, Abul Hossain; Forwards: Alfaz Ahmed, Mehdi Hasan Ujjal, Ariful Kabir Farhad, Shahajuddin Tipu, Rokonuzzaman Kanchan and Zahid Hossain Emily.