Bangladesh has begun preparations for their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India on March 25, with coach Javier Cabrera announcing a 38-member squad. The team will train in Saudi Arabia before returning to finalize tactics. Notable inclusions such as Hamza Choudhury promise to enhance the squad’s experience. Meanwhile, India also aims to improve their performance under new head coach Manolo Márquez prior to their first competitive match of the year.
The Bangladesh football team has initiated their preparations for the crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India, scheduled for March 25 in Shillong. While Indian head coach Manolo Márquez has not yet disclosed a probable squad to maintain player focus leading up to the ISL league phase conclusion, Bangladesh’s Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera has already announced a 38-member squad and commenced training as of Friday in Bangladesh.
As part of their training regimen, the Bengal Tigers will travel to Saudi Arabia for a two-week camp before returning to Bangladesh on March 18. This phase will be essential to refine their tactics prior to heading to Shillong. Notably, the squad’s anticipated yet absent member, Hamza Choudhury, currently with Sheffield United, will join after fulfilling club commitments until March 16.
Choudhury’s experience in top-tier football is highly regarded by his teammates, who assert they are eager to welcome him. Bangladeshi defender Topu Barman stated, “We are ready to welcome Hamza Choudhury. We also want to help him acclimatize to our playing style. Additionally, we aim to learn a lot from him.”
Cabrera expressed enthusiasm regarding Choudhury’s involvement, stating, “It’s great news that we are finally having him. He is very excited and looking forward to both the camp and the match against India. His presence brings a lot of energy and a strong competitive mindset to the team.”
Another intriguing addition to the squad is Bangladeshi-Italian player Fahamedul Islam, currently with Olbia Calcio in Italy. He is expected to join Bangladesh’s training camp after completing his club’s last league fixture before the international break.
India, competing in Group C against Hong Kong and Singapore, faces a formidable challenge in the upcoming qualifier against Bangladesh. Determined to top the group, the Blue Tigers aim for a third consecutive AFC Asian Cup appearance, having struggled last year without a victory.
Under the guidance of head coach Márquez, who has taken over from Igor Štimac, the Indian team has shown improvement, including draws in recent friendlies against Malaysia and Vietnam. Their match against Bangladesh will mark Márquez’s first official competitive fixture this year.
Prior to the qualifier, India will also engage in a friendly match against the Maldives on March 19 to enhance their preparations.
In summary, Bangladesh has commenced its training regime for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India, featuring notable squad inclusions like Hamza Choudhury and Fahamedul Islam. India, seeking to improve from past performances, steps into the match with new strategies under coach Manolo Márquez. This qualifier presents an important opportunity for both teams as they strive for success in the tournament qualifications.
Original Source: revsportz.in
