All eyes will be on Hamza Choudhury, who makes his international debut for Bangladesh today and poses a significant midfield challenge for India.
When it comes to Bangladesh football, Hamza Choudhury is the name on everyone’s lips. The 27-year-old defensive midfielder is set to make his much-anticipated international debut today, with fans and analysts alike eager to see how he performs. As Bangladesh takes on India, Hamza stands as a formidable midfield challenge, and the spotlight will firmly be on how India copes with this English football star.
The buzz around Hamza was evident during the pre-match press conference. India’s head coach Manolo Márquez lauded the former Premier League player, now competing in the English Championship, calling him a quality footballer. “He is undoubtedly a very good player. I believe it is not just good for Bangladesh but also for Asian football to have a player of his caliber in the national team,” Márquez said.
The Indian coach also noted that Hamza’s presence could inspire other Bangladeshi players, including captain Jamal Bhuiyan. However, he pointed out that Hamza has not spent much time in training or camp with the team, making his impact uncertain. “His arrival is a big gain for Bangladesh,” Márquez added.
On the other hand, India is bolstered by the return of veteran forward Sunil Chhetri, who came out of retirement in June. Márquez heaped praise on the star striker, acknowledging the confidence he brings to the team. “When he returned, we won. His presence is a tonic for our confidence ahead of the Bangladesh match,” Márquez said.
The Indian coach admitted that scoring and creating chances had been a struggle in his first game in charge. “This is our first match of the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers. The first match is always crucial. You can’t predict the result in advance, but we will try our best to beat Bangladesh,” he stated.
Liberty News’ sports correspondent states with Hamza leading Bangladesh’s midfield and Chhetri back in India’s attack, today’s clash promises to be an exciting battle to watch.
LND/BG
