Hamza Chowdhury hopes for victory against India

Bangladeshi-origin English Premier League footballer Hamza Dewan Chowdhury, who is included in the 30-member Bangladesh preliminary squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2025 qualifiers, expressed hope that they will win the ensuing match against India, reports UNB.

"It is amazing, amazing, I am very excited to come here after 11 years, I do hope, Inshallah, we will be able to win against India in the ensuing match on March 25", he said in an immediate reaction after his arrival at Sylhet Osmani International Airport in Sylhet.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) officials welcomed him with flowers.

Executive members of the BFF including Sakhawat Hossain Bhuiyan Shahin, Kamrul Islam Hilton, Golam Ghaus, Iqbal Hossain, Satyajit Das Rupu, Imtiaz Hamid Sabuj, and Manjurul Karim, were present at the airport.

Hamza's father Morshed Dewan Chowdhury accompanied him.

Murshed Chowdhury said Hamza wears the red-green jersey out of deep love for the country.

He said if other players of Bangladeshi origin follow Hamza's example and return home, Bangladesh could have a chance to represent the nation in the 2030 World Cup.

From the airport, Hamza travelled to his village home in Bahubal upazila, Habiganj. After spending one or two days at his village home, Hamza will travel to Dhaka on either today (Tuesday) or tomorrow (Wednesday) to join the Bangladesh national football team camp. Hamza will attend the Bangladesh team's official press conference at the team hotel in Dhaka tomorrow (Wednesday), where he will address the press alongside the team coach and captain.

The full squad of the Bangladesh national team including Hamza Chowdhury, is expected to have their final practice session tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon or evening, following the team's official photo session.

The national team will fly to Kolkata on March 20 (Thursday morning) en route to Shillong for their AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match against India on March 25.

Earlier, the Bangladesh football team reached the Saudi Arabian city of Taif about two weeks ago to undergo a 12-day intensive training for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers match against India.

Hamza is scheduled to return to London on March 28.

Meanwhile, Thousands of people gathered at star Hamza Choudhury's house in Sylhet.

On Monday afternoon, he arrived at his village home in Snanghat, Bahubal upazila, from Sylhet Airport.

There had been much discussion surrounding Hamza's arrival over the past few days. Standing along the three-kilometer stretch of road from Putijuri to Snanghat, Children, teenagers, and excited locals showered him with flowers and offered their greetings. Upon reaching home, Hamza Choudhury addressed the gathered crowd, delivering a brief speech.

Hamza said, "Assalamu Alaikum everyone. I am happy to see that you came to see me. Bangladesh Zindabad, Bangladesh Zindabad."