Eye on something big against India, says head coach Cabrera

Bangladesh national football team head coach Javier Cabrera was found hopeful as the Spanish coach is expecting something big against in their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match against India, reports BSS.

"India is a favorite and also one of the strong teams in the subcontinent, but we have positive mentality after having high-quality training in Saudi Arabia," said the Bangladesh head coach in a crowded press conference held in the city's local hotel on Wednesday.

He added, "The players are positive frame of mind and the team is fully prepared to take the challenge...We are expecting something big against India this time".

Bangladesh skipper Jamal Bhuiyan and English Premier League player Hamza Chowdhury were also present at the press conference.

Bangladesh national football team will leave Dhaka for India today (Thursday) to play their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match against India scheduled to be held in Shillongon on March 25. About the exclusion of Italian-based midfielder Fahamedul Islam from the final squad, coach Cabrera said, "Fahmidul's situation is different. I know him very well. I was the one who called him. He is a talented player". He continued, "Fahmidul has the qualifications to represent the national team. However, I think he needs more time to get used to the national team jersey. There is no possibility of him returning to the team. He is in Italy now."

Asked who will be dropped as Hamza will play in the starting eleven against India, the Spanish coach said there is still five or six sessions to go before the match, so at this moment it would not be possible to say regarding the final squad.

The English Premier League footballer Hamza Chowdhury will set to debut for Bangladesh in March 25, but the captain's armband will remain in the hands of Jamal Bhuiyan as the midfielder was introduced as the team captain of the team at the press conference.

Jamal Bhuiyan, who has been the captain of the Bangladesh team for a long time said, "The match against India is very important. India's Sunil Chhetria has come out of retirement for the match. Even though Sunil has come, Bangladesh would be ahead because of Hamza."

Hamza will get goose bumps when he listens to the national anthem being played prior to his debut match against India, Jamal said when asked about his felling how he felt being the first foreign player to represent Bangladesh national team.

The Sheffield United midfielder Hamza who was present in his first official press conference, said he has plan to represent Bangladesh national football team numbers of years.