Ahead of Bangladesh’s crucial match against India in the Asian Cup qualifiers, captain Jamal Bhuiyan expressed optimism about securing three points after their first training session.
The team has started its preparation, but one key player, Hamza Choudhury, is not physically present yet. However, the Sheffield United midfielder remains a hot topic of discussion. Once again, Jamal spoke about Hamza during the first training session, emphasizing that his inclusion would boost the team’s confidence.
Jamal on Hamza and Newcomer Fahamedul
Bangladesh’s 30-man preliminary squad includes Fahamedul Islam, who plays in Italy’s Serie D. However, Jamal admitted he is unfamiliar with the forward, who participated in his first training session at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Saturday.
“I believe Hamza is the best footballer in this squad, and possibly the best in South Asia. His arrival will be a huge boost for the team,” Jamal stated.
Regarding Fahamedul, Jamal added, “He needs time to adjust to the team. I don’t really know him, so I can’t say much about him. The coach has selected him, so he must be a good player. He just needs to settle in first, and then we’ll see how things go.”
Positive Outlook on Overseas-Born Players
Jamal himself, along with Tariq Kazi, is of Bangladeshi descent but born abroad. With Hamza and Fahamedul now joining the squad, Jamal sees this as a positive trend.
“It’s great to have expatriate players coming in. Many players from abroad want to represent Bangladesh, which is a positive sign. I think the more, the better. Other countries are doing the same—just look at the French national team, which won the World Cup with many foreign-born players,” he remarked.
Focus on Set-Piece Defending and Team Development
The preliminary squad features a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters like Al-Amin. To improve results, Jamal stressed the need to strengthen their set-piece defending, an area where Bangladesh has struggled.
“We have a lot of young players, and some of us have played together for three years. If you analyze our matches over the last three years, you’ll see that most of the goals we’ve conceded have come from set-pieces. This is something we need to work on. We also need to improve our FIFA ranking. I think we have a great opportunity this year,” he said.
Jamal Eager for a Win Against India
The last time Bangladesh played in India was in 2019, during the World Cup qualifiers. In that match at Salt Lake Stadium, Bangladesh was on course for a win but conceded a late goal, settling for a draw. They also held India to a draw in the 2021 SAFF Championship.
Looking ahead to their upcoming match on March 25 in Shillong, Jamal is determined to secure a victory.
“We always hope for a good result. If we compare head-to-head records, there is a significant gap between us and India. But we are aiming for a positive result, and of course, we want three points,” he stated.
“Everyone wants to play against India. Even those who aren’t in the squad would love to be part of this match. The last time we played in India was in 2019, and we put in a strong performance. This time, we want the same effort—but with three points,” he concluded.
