Bangladesh have been handed a timely boost ahead of their next SAFF Championship fixture, with midfielder Hamza Chowdhury arriving in Dhaka on Monday morning to join the national squad. After missing the opening match against Bhutan, he is expected to be available for the encounter with Sri Lanka on 11 November.
Hamza’s absence from the first fixture was due to the timing of the FIFA international calendar. Bangladesh faced Bhutan before the November international window had officially begun. Consequently, his English club, Sheffield United, were under no obligation to release him for international duty. The club also had a match scheduled during the same period, leaving the midfielder unavailable for Bangladesh’s opening assignment.
The situation has now changed with the November FIFA international window beginning on Monday. During designated international release periods, clubs are required to make eligible players available for their national teams in accordance with FIFA regulations. This has cleared the way for Hamza to travel to Bangladesh and join his international team-mates without the scheduling complications that prevented him from featuring in the opening game.
The midfielder is expected to take part in Bangladesh’s training session this afternoon at ABG Sports City. The session will form part of the team’s preparations for their match against Sri Lanka on 11 November. His arrival will allow the coaching staff to bring him into the squad’s preparations and assess his readiness ahead of the fixture.
Bangladesh have already secured their place in the semi-finals of the competition. They opened their campaign with a victory over Bhutan, while the draw between Sri Lanka and Bhutan in another group fixture helped confirm Bangladesh’s progression to the last four.
Although qualification has been secured, the Sri Lanka match remains important for Bangladesh. It offers the team an opportunity to maintain their winning momentum, improve their coordination and prepare for the challenges of the knockout stage. A strong performance would also provide a positive platform before the semi-finals.
Hamza’s inclusion is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s midfield options. His experience in English club football and ability to contribute in both defensive and attacking phases make him a valuable addition to the national side. His presence could help Bangladesh maintain better control in midfield, disrupt opposition attacks and create opportunities to move forward.
The team have already shown that they can produce a winning performance without him, having defeated Bhutan in their opening match. His arrival, however, gives the coaching staff another important option as they look to build a more balanced and competitive side for the remainder of the tournament.
Attention will now turn to Hamza’s participation in training and how quickly he can settle into the team’s preparations. Whether he starts against Sri Lanka will depend on his match readiness and the coaching staff’s assessment. With a semi-final place already secured, Bangladesh will be keen to make the most of his return as they continue their SAFF Championship campaign.
