Topu wants to welcome Hamza with a victory

Bangladesh captain Topu Barman wants his team to make Hamza Choudhury's arrival at the SAFF Championship a winning one, insisting that the players are determined to begin their campaign with a victory over Bhutan at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday.

Hamza, one of Bangladesh's biggest stars and a key figure in head coach Thomas Dooley's plans, will miss the opening match due to his club commitments. However, Topu believes the team have an important responsibility to secure three points against Bhutan before welcoming the Sheffield United F.C. midfielder into the squad.

"We will miss him a lot. Leadership like his is very, very important for our team. The way he guides us is particularly special," Topu said at Wednesday's pre-match press conference.

The Bangladesh skipper admitted that Hamza's absence was already known to the team, but stressed that the players wanted to make the most of his return by putting Bangladesh in a positive position in the tournament.

"We knew much earlier that he would not be able to play the first match because of his schedule. But we have a responsibility towards him, and that is to make the path easier for him. We want to win against Bhutan so that he can join us with a cheerful mindset," he added.

Bangladesh's opening fixture carries added significance as the hosts look to end a 23-year wait for the SAFF Championship title. Their last triumph came in 2003, and playing in front of home supporters has further raised expectations surrounding the team.

Topu acknowledged the pressure but believes it could bring the best out of the players. He also called on football fans across the country to stand behind the team as they pursue the long-awaited trophy.

"Of course, there is pressure, but I believe better results can come from that pressure. We have to understand what our football lovers want from us, and they want us to win matches and lift the trophy," he said.

For now, however, Bangladesh's immediate focus is on getting past Bhutan. A positive start would not only ease the pressure on the hosts but also give Hamza a winning team to join as Bangladesh pursue their first regional crown in more than two decades.