Hamza joins Bangladesh camp ahead of Vietnam friendly

Bangladesh national football team received a major boost on Tuesday as English Championship-based midfielder Hamza Choudhury finally joined the squad in Hanoi, injecting fresh energy into the camp ahead of their FIFA international friendly against Vietnam on 26 March.

Hamza’s arrival came after a brief delay due to his club commitments with Leicester City. Initially expected to land in Vietnam two days earlier, the midfielder had to remain in England as he was still involved in his club’s matchday squad. Clearing the uncertainty, team manager Amer Khan confirmed that the travel plan was adjusted in line with his professional duties.

The midfielder eventually departed England on Monday via Turkish Airlines and touched down in Hanoi at around 4pm local time on Tuesday. Amer personally received him at the airport, where immigration and other formalities took over half an hour before Hamza made his way to the team hotel and linked up with his teammates.

By the time Hamza arrived, the Bangladesh squad had already settled into their preparation routine. Under head coach Javier Cabrera, the team have already completed two days of training at the Vietnam National Youth Training Centre, gradually adapting to the local conditions. On the third day, the squad trained for about an hour, focusing on fitness and tactical drills. Tuesday’s training session began at 5pm local time, shortly after Hamza’s arrival.

Despite his well-known professionalism having previously joined training sessions on the same day he arrived in Dhaka ahead of matches against Hong Kong, China and India, Hamza is unlikely to take part in full training immediately due to travel fatigue. However, he is expected to visit the training ground to meet teammates and coaching staff, maintaining his strong commitment to the national side.

Senior players like Jamal Bhuiyan have already been leading the preparations, ensuring the team remain focused in the absence of their key midfield figure. With Hamza now in the camp, the dynamic of the squad is set to shift significantly. His ability to press high, break opposition lines and drive transitions offers Bangladesh a level of midfield control and intensity that few in the current setup can replicate.

The upcoming friendly against Vietnam will serve as a vital test for Cabrera’s side, allowing them to fine-tune combinations and assess tactical balance. However, the stakes will rise even further just days later. Following the Vietnam match, Bangladesh will travel to Singapore for a crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier against the home team on 31 March.

That fixture carries significant importance in Group C, and Bangladesh will be aiming to build momentum from the Vietnam game before heading into the qualifier. After the Singapore match, the team is scheduled to return to Dhaka, while Hamza will head back to England to resume his club duties with Leicester.

All eyes will now be on how quickly Hamza integrates into the squad and impacts proceedings on the pitch. His presence not only strengthens Bangladesh’s midfield but also raises expectations, as the team looks to deliver strong performances in both the friendly and the all-important Asian Cup qualifying clash.