‘Best first half… Very happy with line-up’: Cabrera shields Saad and Co after HK blow

Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera defended his team selection after his side's 4-3 defeat to Hong Kong, China in the 2026 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier at the National Stadium on Thursday, despite questions over his decision to leave out Shamit Shome, Fahamedul Islam, and Zayyan Ahmed from the starting eleven.

"To me, the best part of the match has been the first half, without any doubt. I tell you again, for me, the first half is probably the best football we have played since I'm here. So, the line-up was right. The line-up did well," Cabrera said at the post-match press conference.

"And in the second half, they [Hong Kong] were a very good team. It's normal that they dominate us for some time. And in the second half, especially the first 30 minutes, they were much better than us. And then the changes -- Jamal [Bhuyan] did a very good job to come back. So, I'm very happy with the line-up and with the substitutes we put," the Spaniard added.  

After surrendering their early advantage to trail 2-1 -- and later 3-1 -- Cabrera introduced Shamit, Fahamedul, Jamal, and later Zayyan to inject fresh energy. The changes helped Bangladesh fight back, with Sheikh Morsalin and Shamit scoring to make it 3-3 deep into the stoppage time.

However, defensive lapses cost the home side in the dying minutes, with full-back Saad Uddin particularly criticised for his part in the last two goals. Cabrera, however, stood by his player.

"We talked a lot about the offensive players of Hong Kong, and I think we have been able to manage very well for many moments. But in the end, they have good quality, and it can happen.

"To me, it is more than the defensive; it's not about the defenders. It's because the situations of those goals have been with not only the defenders in the box defending. I think it's been everyone."

Cabrera also rued the absence of fit-again defender Topu Barman, who replaced Tariq Raihan Kazi late in the game, as Hong Kong capitalised on Bangladesh's errors to score twice.

"I would say more in that case maybe Topu. But I really think there have been a lot of defensive actions that have been very successful. The thing is that those two actions are very unfortunate mistakes. That is the reality," Cabrera explained.

Cabrera ultimately took responsibility for the defeat. "I take the responsibility. The whole team take the responsibility, mainly myself. But again, now we need to focus."

Bangladesh -- who will have to fight against the odds to progress as they are sitting at the bottom of Group C with one point in three matches -- are scheduled to fly to Hong Kong on Friday night for the away leg on October 14.

"We have another match now in Hong Kong. We have to win," Cabrera said.