Bangladesh National Team Prepares for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Against India

The Bangladesh national football team has initiated its training camp in Dhaka for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against India. Midfielder Hamza Choudhury is absent due to commitments in Europe. The squad, drawn with India, Hong Kong, and Singapore, aims to strengthen its performance ahead of matches starting March 25.

The Bangladesh national football team has commenced its preparatory camp in Dhaka for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against India. Notably, midfielder Hamza Choudhury is absent from the camp, which began on Friday, as he participates in league games in Europe. The team will face India on March 25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, part of the third round qualifiers.

The Bengal Tigers have assembled a 30-member preliminary squad, with training scheduled to continue in the national capital until March 4. They will subsequently travel to Saudi Arabia for a two-week training session. Notably, both Hamza and Fahamedul Islam, who received their first national team call-ups, are currently unavailable due to their commitments with European clubs.

Hamza Choudhury, a former England under-21 international who switched allegiance to Bangladesh in 2024, is a key figure for the team. The 27-year-old defensive midfielder, who plays for Leicester City and is presently on loan at Sheffield United, will miss essential training sessions due to league matches on March 1, 8, 12, and 16.

Fahamedul Islam is currently contracted with Italian lower-tier side Olbia Calcio 1905 and is expected to join the team in Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh is placed alongside India, Hong Kong, and Singapore in the qualifiers, with home matches against Singapore on June 10 and Hong Kong on October 9, following the match against India.

The last encounter between Bangladesh and India ended in a 1-1 draw during the 2021 SAFF Championships, highlighting the competitiveness of their rivalry. The team’s goals were scored by Sunil Chhetri and Yeasan Arafat, reflecting the balanced performances on both sides.

In summary, the Bangladesh national team has started its preparation for the crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against India, notably missing key player Hamza Choudhury. The squad will continue training in Dhaka before heading to Saudi Arabia. The team’s upcoming matches against India and its subsequent opponents in the qualifiers are highly anticipated, given their history. This preparatory phase is essential for the team’s prospects in the competition.

Original Source: sportstar.thehindu.com