Hamza Choudhury: Bangladesh’s biggest footballer vows to beat India
India and Bangladesh will play an AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Shillong on March 25.
India and Bangladesh will play an AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Shillong on March 25.
India and Bangladesh will play an AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Shillong on March 25.
The Bangladesh football team preparing to play India next week has been bolstered by the arrival of former Premier League player Hamza Choudhury.
The midfielder arrived in Sylhet on Monday and is expected to join the Bangladesh camp for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India in Shillong on March 25.
"Two wins, two derbies. Insha Allah, we will win, and we will progress," Hamza told journalists upon arrival. He was given a rousing reception at the airport and later greeted fans, who came out in large numbers to meet their biggest national star.
Hamza plays for Championship (English second-division) side Sheffield United, having joined them in January on loan from Premier League side Leicester City.
He played 90 minutes in a 1-0 win for Sheffield United against Sheffield Wednesday on March 16. The Sheffield derby, also known as the Steel City derby, is one of the popular traditional rivalries in English football. From his remark, it appears, Hamza regards the upcoming clash between Bangladesh and neighbours India as fierce as a local derby.
Last December, Hamza changed his national allegiance from England to Bangladesh. Hamza, who has represented England in the U-21 and U-23 levels, became eligible to play for Bangladesh, the birthplace of his mother.
India, ranked 126th, are better placed than Bangladesh (185) in the FIFA standings for nations. But the inclusion of Hamza is expected to improve Bangladesh's midfield.
India have not won a match in 15 months, with the last win coming against Kuwait in November 2023. Manolo Marquez recalled retired striker Sunil Chhetri for the qualifiers, and the 40-year-old will be vital in the match against Hamza's Bangladesh.
It is difficult for the Indian football team to include players like Hamza, who have played in superior foreign leagues. The government of India does not permit the inclusion of Players of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) unless they give up their foreign citizenship and obtain Indian passports.
In 2010, former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra was willing to play for India. But the move did not materialise as Chopra had to renounce his British citizenship, which he was not willing to at the time. Chopra later played for Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.