Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuiyan finds himself in an unfamiliar and unenviable position ahead of Tuesday’s must-win AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore in Dhaka. Once a guaranteed name on the team sheet, Bhuiyan’s place in the starting XI is now under serious scrutiny amid stiff competition and questions over his form.
The 35-year-old midfielder, who made history in 2013 by becoming the first expatriate to represent Bangladesh at international level, has been a mainstay in the national team for over a decade. However, his role has diminished in recent times. In the previous qualifier against India in March, Bhuiyan was named in the squad but remained on the bench throughout, a signal that his automatic selection days may be behind him.
Head coach Javier Cabrera opted for Hamza Choudhury in the defensive midfield role in that match—a choice that paid dividends given Choudhury’s experience from his time in the English Premier League. To further complicate matters for Bhuiyan, Canada-born midfielder Shamit Shome is poised to make his debut, adding another layer of competition in the centre of the park.
Bhuiyan did start alongside Choudhury in a friendly against Bhutan on 4 June, but Cabrera’s selections continue to evolve as the stakes rise. With Bangladesh yet to record a win in the group, Tuesday’s match carries added significance, and the coach may look to fresher legs to drive the team forward.
Despite the uncertainty, Bhuiyan remains philosophical. Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, he acknowledged the reality of the situation but expressed a strong desire to contribute—however limited his time on the pitch may be.
“I always want to play—whether it’s 10 minutes or 60 minutes,” Bhuiyan said. “I want to play because this is my job. When you can’t, it’s painful. But at the end of the day, the team comes first. Whoever is playing, I want to wish them the best and encourage them to perform at their best.”
Bangladesh will look to make home advantage count as they chase a vital three points to keep their qualification hopes alive. Cabrera made no secret of the team’s intent, stressing that victory is essential.
Singapore, meanwhile, are expected to play on the front foot, but Bhuiyan believes an early goal could tip the balance in Bangladesh’s favour.
“If we can score first and keep a clean sheet, it will be better for the team,” he noted. “Whether it’s 1-0 or 3-0, the important thing is to win and collect the three points. That’s the goal.”
While public interest and expectation around the national team have surged in recent weeks, Bhuiyan urged his teammates to remain focused on the task at hand.
“Of course, we can feel the pressure and see the hype,” he admitted. “But during the game, we must forget that. We have to think about ourselves, think about the team, and focus on how we can win the match.”
Kick-off at the Bashundhara Kings Arena is scheduled for 7:00 pm local time, with Bangladesh hoping to end their winless run and inject fresh momentum into their Asian Cup qualifying campaign.