By Our Reporter
Shillong, March 22: Bangladesh’s national football team has arrived in Shillong, bolstered by the presence of Premier League midfielder Hamza Chowdhury, as they gear up for their high-stakes AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers final round encounter against India.
A 36-member squad, including 24 players and 12 officials, touched down in the Meghalaya capital on Thursday, as confirmed by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). The team departed from Dhaka in the early hours for the crucial first-leg match scheduled for March 25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The biggest boost for Bangladesh comes in the form of Leicester City’s Chowdhury, the first Bangladesh-origin footballer to feature in the English Premier League. The 26-year-old joined the squad on March 18 after arriving in Dhaka a day earlier, immediately participating in his first training session at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Wednesday. His presence is expected to add stability and experience to Bangladesh’s midfield as they seek to upset India on their home turf.
Bangladesh’s Build-Up and Squad Adjustments
Bangladesh’s preparation for the qualifiers has been intensive, beginning with a domestic training camp in Dhaka from February 28 to March 4, followed by a high-altitude training stint in Taif, Saudi Arabia, from March 5 to 17. However, head coach Javier Cabrera made key adjustments to his squad following the camp in Saudi Arabia.
Italy-based midfielder Fahamedul Islam was dropped, while injuries ruled out defender Sushanto Tripura and midfielder Papon Singh. Additionally, forwards Arif Hossain, Piash Ahmed Nova, and defender Tajuddin were omitted after the team’s final training session in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The final 23-member squad is expected to be officially announced in the coming days.
Bangladesh Squad for AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers (24 members)
Goalkeepers: Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain, Mehdi Hasan Srabon
Defenders: Shakil Ahad Topu, Rahmat Mia, Tariq Raihan Kazi, Topu Barman, Saad Uddin, Sakil Hossain, Isa Faysal
Midfielders: Hamza Dewan Chowdhury, Chandon Roy, Md Ridoy, Sohel Rana, Mojibor Rahman Jony, Shekh Morsalin, Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee, Jamal Bhuyan.
