ANISUR RAHMAN

SAFF U-20 champions Bangladesh returned home yesterday amid a festive mood, with a trophy parade from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the Hatirjheel Amphitheatre on an open-top bus -- a grand reception reminiscent of those previously hosted by the Bangladesh Football Federation for the history-making women’s national and futsal teams.

While securing a second regional youth title is a significant milestone, the campaign’s true revelation was Ronan Sullivan. The US-born forward, hailing from the Philadelphia Union Academy, enjoyed a dream debut in the red and green that exceeded all expectations.

The 18-year-old striker consistently impressed throughout the tournament. From his clinical brace against Pakistan to his vital assist for the winner against Nepal, Ronan proved his worth. However, it was his audacious Panenka in the high-pressure final shootout -- taking the fifth and decisive penalty -- that provided the ultimate evidence of the big-game temperament and technical confidence required for international football.

With the Bangladesh senior national team currently starved of genuine goal-scorers, former national player-turned-coach Shafiqul Islam Manik believes Ronan’s promotion to the senior squad should be considered sooner rather than later.

“Ronan deserves a call-up in the trial camp of the national football team if we want to fill up the long lacking of the genuine striker in the senior team,” Manik told The Daily Star yesterday.

“He has performed really well in the number nine position of the Bangladesh U-20 side, having good movements in the attacking third, along with good shooting and free-kick ability,” added the experienced AFC A-licence coach.

“As there is no opportunity to see him in the Bangladesh Football League, Ronan can be tested by giving him a chance in the national team’s training camp and FIFA international friendly matches.”

Drawing a parallel with US-based Zayyan Ahmed, Manik noted that while Zayyan initially struggled in trials, he proved his quality with the U-23 side before earning a senior call-up.

“We should make room for Ronan because the 17-year-old footballer also plays in the national team at the world level. I think he has the possibility to click for the national side, though the level of the U-20 and national team is not similar,” said Manik, adding that Ronan should follow a similar developmental path to the one laid out for Zayyan.

Just two months prior to this tournament, it was not even certain that Ronan would represent Bangladesh. Ronan, for his part, has already set his sights higher. “Senior team, that’s the goal,” he said after the final.

Manik also urged the football authorities to actively create space for overseas-based forwards. He noted that homegrown attackers currently face an uphill battle to secure starting spots in the domestic league due to the heavy influx of foreign signings in the Bangladesh Premier League.