Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuiyan admits he cannot confirm whether he will feature in Saturday’s first friendly against Nepal, but insists his team have arrived in Kathmandu with one clear goal – to win.
The midfielder, who has struggled for regular minutes in recent months, faced familiar questions at Friday’s press conference about his place in the starting line-up. As on previous occasions, he deferred the decision to the coaching staff.
“Whether I play or not, that is not in my hands. That is the decision of the team management,” Jamal said. “But of course, as a player, everyone wants to play. In our team there is good competition, and football means competition. Only by giving your best might you find a place in the team.”
Bangladesh face Nepal at the Dasharath Stadium at 5:45 pm Bangladesh time on 6 September, with a second friendly scheduled at the same venue three days later. The matches are seen as key preparation for October’s Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong.
Jamal emphasised the importance of using these fixtures to build confidence. “We were waiting for these two matches, because they are very important for us. Next month is the most important for us. We came here for three points – you can ask any player and they will give the same answer. We came to win, but also to perform well and to show we are improving.”
Despite his uncertainty over selection, the 35-year-old remains optimistic about the team’s potential. He acknowledged Nepal’s recent progress, citing their victory over Singapore, but maintained Bangladesh’s focus must remain on their own performance.
“I think Nepal have become stronger,” Jamal said. “Going to Singapore and winning is not easy. And coming here to play is always tough for opponents. But we are confident in ourselves.”
The captain also touched on the broader need for development in South Asian football. “For every country it is important to have a strong league. If there is a strong league, local players will improve, and the country’s football will improve as well. A strong league means good infrastructure, good stadiums, good facilities. I hope Nepal will also move forward on that path.”
Bangladesh lost 3-1 the last time the sides met in Kathmandu in 2022.