Bangladesh star midfielder Hamza Choudhury has urged supporters to “stay positive” following a 2-1 defeat to Singapore in their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers clash at a sold-out National Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Anticipation ahead of the fixture was palpable. Fresh from a spirited performance against India in March, expectations had soared among fans. Tickets for the high-stakes encounter were snapped up within hours, and thousands flocked to the stadium well before kick-off. But as the final whistle blew, jubilation gave way to disappointment.
“Not the result we wanted! But we can be proud as a team and as a nation!! We need to stay positive because we’re only just getting started and InshaAllah we will be where we want to be very soon!” Choudhury posted on social media after the match, his message resonating with a fanbase left heartbroken.
He added: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the love and support. See you guys in October.”
The match had been billed as one of the most significant in recent memory for Bangladesh, not least due to the return of marquee midfielders Choudhury and Shamit Shome. While the pre-match atmosphere was electric, the performance on the pitch failed to match the hype.
Singapore took control early, netting twice before Bangladesh mounted a response. The home side were handed a lifeline in the 67th minute when forward Rakib Hossain found the back of the net, sending the crowd into raptures and sparking a late surge. But despite sustained pressure, the elusive equaliser never came.
With the result, Bangladesh remain third in Group C — ahead of India, who slipped to a surprise 1-0 defeat against Hong Kong earlier in the day. The Indian side, led by veteran stars Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhingan, now find themselves at the bottom of the group.
Singapore’s victory sees them move to the top of the standings, while Hong Kong’s morale-boosting win at the newly unveiled Kai Tak Sports Park lifts them to second.
The road to the AFC Asian Cup is far from over, and with crucial fixtures looming in October, Bangladesh will be looking to regroup, rebuild, and reignite their campaign, with Choudhury’s rallying cry providing both solace and hope.