The Bangladesh football team have begun preparations for their crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India on March 25 in Shillong. While Indian head coach Manolo Márquez has yet to announce a probable squad for the fixture—ensuring that players remain focused during the closing stages of the ISL league phase—Bangladesh, under the guidance of Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera, have already named a 38-member squad and commenced training on Friday in Bangladesh.
As part of their preparations, the Bengal Tigers will head to Saudi Arabia for a two-week training camp before returning to Bangladesh on March 18 to fine-tune their strategies ahead of their departure for Shillong. However, the most talked-about inclusion in the squad, former Leicester City and current Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury, is yet to join the team.
Sheffield United are scheduled to play three matches in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football, before the international break. As a result, Choudhury will be occupied until March 16 and is expected to join the Bangladesh camp by March 18.
Bangladeshi players are eager to learn from his experience of playing in top-tier English football. “We are ready to welcome Hamza Choudhury,” Bangladeshi defender Topu Barman said to T Sports. “We also want to help him acclimatise to our playing style and team philosophy. Moreover, we are looking forward to learning a lot from him, as he has played football at a higher level.”
“It’s great news that we are finally having him,” Cabrera told the Bangladeshi media, expressing his excitement over Choudhury’s inclusion. “He is very excited, highly motivated, and looking forward to both the camp and the match against India. His presence brings a lot of energy and a strong competitive mindset to the team.”
Apart from Choudhury, another surprising inclusion in the squad is Bangladeshi-Italian footballer Fahamedul Islam, who currently plays for Olbia Calcio in Italy’s fourth tier. Fahamedul, who developed through the Sampdoria academy, is expected to join the squad after March 10, following his club’s last league fixture before the international break.
India’s Challenge in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
India, having been drawn against Hong Kong (China) and Singapore in Group C, face a tough challenge against Bangladesh. The Blue Tigers, having failed to qualify directly for the AFC Asian Cup, will be determined to top the group and secure their place in the tournament for the third consecutive time.
Indian football has endured a difficult period, having failed to win a single match last year. However, since Márquez replaced Igor Štimac as head coach, the team have shown signs of progress, securing draws against Malaysia and Vietnam in recent friendlies. The upcoming qualifier against Bangladesh will be Marquez’s first official competitive match in charge this year.
Before facing Bangladesh, India will also play a friendly against the Maldives on March 19 to fine-tune their preparations.
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