Bangladesh Prepares for AFC Asian Cup Qualifier Against India

The Bangladesh national football team is preparing for an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India on March 25, having announced a 38-member squad led by coach Javier Cabrera. They will conduct a training camp in Saudi Arabia before fine-tuning strategies back in Bangladesh. Noteworthy inclusions are Hamza Choudhury and Fahamedul Islam, with India aiming for success under coach Manolo Márquez in their group stage.

The Bangladesh national football team has commenced its preparations for an important AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India, scheduled for March 25 in Shillong. Under the leadership of Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera, the team has announced a 38-member squad and begun training as of Friday. In contrast, Indian head coach Manolo Márquez has not yet released his player roster, aiming to maintain focus during the concluding stages of the ISL league phase.

As part of their preparation process, the Bengal Tigers will participate in a two-week training camp in Saudi Arabia, returning to finalize their strategies ahead of the qualifier. A notable addition to the squad is former Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, currently with Sheffield United, who is expected to join the team following his club’s matches prior to March 16.

Bangladeshi players are enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn from Choudhury’s experiences in high-level English football. Defender Topu Barman stated, “We are ready to welcome Hamza Choudhury. We also want to help him acclimatize to our playing style and team philosophy.” Coach Cabrera echoed this sentiment, stating that Choudhury’s presence brings energy and a competitive spirit to the team.

Additionally, the squad includes Bangladeshi-Italian player Fahamedul Islam, who will join after his commitments with his Italian club, Olbia Calcio, conclude on March 10. His inclusion adds an exciting dimension as he transitions from the Sampdoria academy to the national level.

India faces a challenging route in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, being grouped with Hong Kong and Singapore, while looking to bounce back after a difficult year without any victories. The Blue Tigers aim to secure a top position in their group, with Márquez’s first competitive match leading against Bangladesh, following a friendly against the Maldives on March 19.

In summary, the Bangladesh football team is diligently preparing for their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India with a robust training regime and the significant inclusion of experienced players like Hamza Choudhury. Meanwhile, India, despite recent struggles, is focused on enhancing its performance under the direction of Coach Márquez as both teams gear up for what promises to be a competitive match.

Original Source: revsportz.in