The National Stadium in Dhaka is set to host the highly anticipated Bangladesh-Singapore football match at 7 PM tonight. The surrounding areas, including Paltan and Gulistan, have been adorned with festive decorations, reflecting the excitement that has gripped the city.
Enthusiastic fans are already queuing up to enter the stadium, with some having arrived as early as 2:30 PM when the gates opened. The atmosphere around the National Stadium is electric. Long queues of mostly young men and women are eagerly waiting to enter.
Inside, fans are snapping photos with cutouts of their favourite players, such as Hamza Chowdhury and Fahamidul Islam, whose displays are drawing particularly large crowds. Many supporters are holding placards with messages like “Hamza, we love you” and are waving small national flags while dressed in Bangladesh jerseys.
In a rare spectacle, the group “Football Ultras Bangladesh” was seen parading with drums in front of the Baitul Mukarram Mosque, adding a vibrant rhythm to the festive spirit—an occurrence not witnessed at the stadium in recent memory.
Football was once the heartbeat of Bangladeshi entertainment during the 1980s and 1990s, though its popularity has since declined. Occasionally, national or international matches rekindle that old flame, as seen in recent years with games against Australia and Qatar.
However, those encounters saw supporters arriving with little hope of victory, dampening the celebratory mood. Today’s match is different. The last comparable outpouring of excitement came on 6 August 2011, during the Abahani-Mohammedan Super Cup final, when over 50,000 fans were left outside the stadium, unable to enter.
That day, the pressure on the stands was so intense that fears of a collapse emerged. Today’s scene marks a shift. The stadium’s capacity is now limited to 21,000, with chairs installed, and all tickets were sold out in advance. As a result, many without tickets have stayed away, though the venue is still expected to be packed hours before kick-off.
The buzz is palpable, driven by the anticipation of a Bangladesh victory, fuelled by the presence of expatriate stars like Hamza, Fahamidul, and Shamit Som donning the national jersey. Fans are eager to see these players shine on home soil.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has elevated the event to a corporate level, introducing digital advertising boards that brighten the stadium’s atmosphere. Outside, various commercial activities are in full swing, highlighting the growing business interest in the sport.
This fusion of traditional football passion with modern digital management signals a fresh chapter for the game in Bangladesh. As the clock ticks towards 7 PM, the National Stadium braces for a spectacle unseen in years. With a capacity crowd expected, the match promises to be a landmark occasion, both on the pitch and in the stands.
The combination of fervent supporters, star players, and a carnival-like atmosphere has sparked a sense of anticipation felt across Dhaka.