Sullivan Twins Help Bangladesh Win SAFF U20 Title

Philadelphia-born twins Ronan and Declan Sullivan helped Bangladesh win the South Asian Football Federation Under-20 Championship, completing an unusual route from college soccer in the United States to a national-team trophy. The Guardian reported on Tuesday that the brothers joined Bangladesh through their maternal ancestry and earned their places after attending a competitive camp rather than receiving guaranteed roster spots.

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Bangladesh defeated India after a scoreless final in Malé, Maldives, on April 3. The match went to a penalty shootout, where Ronan converted Bangladesh's fifth kick with a chipped attempt. The victory delivered the U20 title to Bangladesh and prompted celebrations among the large Bangladeshi community in the Maldives, as well as a major response online.

The twins' path began with contact through the Save Bangladesh Football social-media account. After the brothers expressed interest in representing the country, the account helped connect them with Bangladesh Football Federation vice-president Fahad Karim. Securing Bangladeshi passports required a lengthy process because their mother did not hold one, but the twins eventually traveled from New York to Dhaka in March.

Once in Bangladesh, Ronan and Declan joined a camp containing more than 30 players, including three other overseas-based candidates. They had not previously visited the country and faced some communication challenges during training. Both nevertheless made the tournament squad, then returned to Dhaka after the championship for public celebrations and time with their grandmother.

Their involvement reflects a wider attempt to identify footballers from Bangladesh's international diaspora. The brothers are also eligible for the United States and Germany. Their younger brothers Quinn and Cavan play for the Philadelphia Union, although Quinn is tied to the United States at senior international level and Cavan is regarded as a leading American prospect.

Bangladesh's senior team is now coached by former United States captain Thomas Dooley, who was appointed seven weeks after the U20 triumph. Dooley told The Guardian that overseas recruitment must be selective because of budget limits and said eligible players should only be brought in when they can clearly improve the squad. His immediate senior-team focus is the SAFF Championship, which Bangladesh is scheduled to host in November. Bangladesh has won that competition once, as host in 2003.