Cabrera hopeful about Hamza's availability for Singapore match

Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera remains optimistic that midfielder Hamza Choudhury will recover from injury in time for the last Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore on March 31.

Hamza, who picked up an injury while playing for Leicester City against Charlton Athletic at the end of last month, is currently sidelined, raising doubts over his participation in the upcoming match. Cabrera, however, believes the midfielder is progressing well and could yet feature.

“We hope so. We are moving step by step,” Cabrera told reporters on Saturday evening, adding that the expected timeline points to a mid-March return. “If everything goes well, he is positive and we are hopeful we will have him at least for the Singapore match.” 

The Spanish coach said he has been maintaining close contact with both the player and Leicester City’s medical staff regarding the recovery process.

“We are in contact. I am speaking with him and with Leicester’s doctor as well,” he said. “We are positive and hope his recovery will go very well.”

Cabrera is also expecting Canada-based midfielder Shamit Som to join the national camp earlier than usual for the March international window. The midfielder has previously travelled from Canada with limited preparation time, but the coach is hopeful of an earlier arrival this time.

“I spoke with him recently and he is eager to join the camp as soon as possible,” Cabrera said, indicating that efforts are being made to have him available from the start of preparations. 

Bangladesh plan to begin their training camp on March 16 following the conclusion of domestic football. After several days of training in Dhaka, the team is expected to travel to Vietnam for a preparatory match against higher-ranked opposition, which Cabrera believes will provide valuable experience ahead of the Singapore fixture.

“I proposed that we should face higher-ranked teams this year so that we can prepare well,” he said. “Vietnam will be a good opponent and a good challenge for us.”