AFC Asian Cup qualifiers: Hamza joins Bangladesh squad amid rousing reception, Fahamedul out for India game

AFC Asian Cup qualifiers: Hamza joins Bangladesh squad amid rousing reception, Fahamedul out for India game

All eyes will be on Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury as he gears up to play for Bangladesh for the first time in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier fixture against India on March 25.

Hamza, born to a Bangladeshi mother and Grenadian father, chose to represent Bangladesh internationally and will feature in the third-round qualifier at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

An FA Cup and EFL Championship winner with the Foxes, the 27-year-old received a rousing welcome in Dhaka when he arrived with his family on Monday.

“It feels incredible. My heart is pumped. Amazing, amazing. (It has been) a long time coming. Excited to be here,” Hamza told reporters at the airport. “I have spoken with Coach Javier about many things. Hopefully, we will win and progress.”

The defensive midfielder has represented England at the under-21 level and is currently on loan at Sheffield United, which is level on points with EFL Championship leader Leeds United.

Hamza, the first Premier League player to represent the Bengal Tigers, joined the rest of the squad on Tuesday evening. The squad is soon due to fly to India on March 20.

Though the player’s conventional role is that of a No. 6, he has expressed his intention to don the No. 8 jersey, playing as a central midfielder, slightly higher on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh will be without young winger Fahamedul Islam for the game.

The 18-year-old, who currently plays for Olbia Calcio 1905 in Italy’s fourth division, trained with the Bangladesh national team in Taif, Saudi Arabia, but was later informed that Javier does not see him in the current team for now.

“Fahmedul has not travelled to Dhaka. He was with us for one week in Saudi Arabia. He is a talented player but he will need a bit more time,” Cabrera told the press at the Dhaka airport on Tuesday.

Bangladesh began an intensive training camp in Saudi Arabia on March 5, and Fahmedul joined the squad five days later.

The youngster, who grew up in the Spezia and UC Sampdoria youth academy, can play multiple left-sided positions, primarily as a winger or wing-back. However, he has played just 461 minutes—roughly five games—in all competitions this season.

“Training with the squad in Saudi Arabia was an important experience for him. He has gone back to Italy. For now, we believe there are other players who are more ready,” Cabrera added.

Bangladesh was scheduled to play three friendly games – all behind closed doors – in Taif, but only one finally happened, against Jordanian side Al Wehdat on Thursday (March 13).

The Bengal Tigers, at 185, are the lowest-ranked side in their qualifying group, which has India, Singapore and Hong Kong (China). They will open their campaign in India before hosting Singapore in June.

Published on Mar 19, 2025