Bangladesh Camp for Nepal Match Underway Without Squad Announcement

Bangladesh national football team coach Javier Cabrera missed the start of the national team camp as he recently became a father of twins and was supporting his wife. However, he joined the team’s training session in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon. Before the session began, Cabrera spoke about his objectives for the upcoming matches against Nepal and India.

At the same time, he faced questions about why the Bangladesh squad had not been announced despite the camp already underway. Cabrera placed the responsibility entirely on the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), stating, “I don’t think this has anything to do with me. I provide the squad list before the camp as usual. The decision not to release it to the media is entirely the BFF’s.”

Bangladesh will face India on 18 November in an Asian Cup qualifier, while Hamza Chowdhury and Shomit Somra will participate in a friendly against Nepal on 13 November. Tickets for the Nepal match went on sale today.

Preparations for both matches began last Thursday, but the squad has been kept confidential. Even assistant coaches, managers, and players are unaware of who has been called up. Cabrera finalises the squad on his own. This is not the first time the squad has not been announced before the camp; it has happened in previous years as well. When asked whether it was the coach’s decision, Cabrera replied firmly, “No, no. This is not a coach’s directive. I always provide the list before the camp.” Meanwhile, BFF media manager Sadman Sakib noted, “So far, the squad list has not reached the media department, which is why it has not been released.”

Currently, seven players from Bashundhara Kings have yet to join the camp. Hamza is expected to return from England by 10 November, while Shomit will arrive slightly later. Cabrera intends to play both in the friendly against Nepal, saying, “If everything goes smoothly and Hamza feels fit, he will certainly play. Shomit will join a bit later, but we will try to give him some minutes in the Nepal match.”

Despite Nepal being the immediate opposition, Bangladesh’s main focus is the Asian Cup qualifier against India. Cabrera emphasised, “The aim is to win both matches. First, we need good preparation to beat Nepal, and our main objective is victory against India.”

The Bangladesh national team camp continues under these conditions as the squad prepares for crucial upcoming matches