The Bangladesh national football team received a major boost ahead of their Asian Cup qualifiers as England-born midfielder Hamza Dewan Choudhury joined the squad in Dhaka on Tuesday morning.
Hamza arrived around 11:30 a.m., immediately becoming the focal point of attention at the Dhaka National Stadium. Dozens of fans waited outside the venue, hoping to see the Leicester City player who has quickly become a symbol of renewed belief for Bangladesh football.
Later in the day, Hamza took part in his first training session with the national team under cloudy skies at the National Stadium. Despite travelling from England only hours earlier, he looked sharp, energetic, and fully engaged. His presence instantly brightened the atmosphere during what was the team’s sixth practice session ahead of the first-leg clash against Hong Kong.
The session included 27 players, and the mood among the squad was visibly positive. Team Manager Amer Khan confirmed that defender Topu Barman was recovering well from a minor injury, saying that he trained partially and is on track to regain full fitness soon. However, Sumon Reza and Mohammad Ibrahim have both left the camp due to injuries.
Bangladesh will face Hong Kong on 9 October in Dhaka, before travelling for the return fixture on 14 October in Hong Kong. The match carries significant importance as Bangladesh seek their first win of the campaign.
So far, Bangladesh have played two matches in Group C of the Asian Cup qualifiers. They held India to a goalless draw in Shillong on 25 March and later suffered a narrow 2–1 defeat to Singapore at home on 10 June. Hong Kong and Singapore currently lead the group with four points each, while Bangladesh and India are level on one point apiece.
Hamza, who made his debut for Bangladesh against India earlier this year, has appeared in three international matches, scoring once and providing one assist. Although he did not feature in Leicester City’s recent 3–1 win over Swansea City, his match sharpness and composure were evident during training in Dhaka.
Another foreign-based player, Shamit Shome from Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC, is expected to arrive on Wednesday night. He will have only one training session before the home match against Hong Kong.
As the team prepare for a decisive week, all eyes are on Hamza to bring leadership and stability to the midfield. His arrival has not only strengthened the squad but also lifted spirits among supporters who are hoping for a turnaround in Bangladesh’s fortunes.
