Two motivating factors to get a nod to the playing XI are currently driving Bangladesh football team players. 

Bangladesh face hosts India in the Asian Cup Qualifier on March 25, and the booters are in a competition among themselves to feature in the highly-anticipated match against the neighbouring country. On top of that, the prospect of playing alongside Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury has also been a motivating factor for the players in their current training camp.   

"I'll consider myself lucky if I can play with Hamza and for that, I am giving my best to secure a place in the playing eleven," defender Tapu Barman told reporters before training at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Tuesday.  

Today's practice was Bangladesh's final session in the country as Javier Cabrera's troops will leave for Saudi Arabia tomorrow for a two-week preparation camp, aiming to ramp up preparation. They will play a couple of practice matches there, subject to the availability of teams in Saudi Arabia, before coming back to the country on March 17. 

Hamza will arrive in Dhaka on March 18 and take part in a training session with the national team the following day. Meanwhile, Italy-based midfielder Fahemedul Islam is expected to land in the capital on March 10 after which he will join the side's practice sessions. 

"We, 30 players, have been going through very hard sessions in the last four days and there is a very competitive environment among the players in training because the coach has already told us that only the best performers in the training camp will be picked for the playing eleven against India," forward Mohammad Ibrahim said. 

"We are not only fighting for a place in the playing eleven against India but there is more competition amongst ourselves for playing alongside Hamza bhai. We are very excited for that," the Abahani forward added.

Ibrahim claimed that the competition is intense whenever Bangladesh play India. He also expected high levels of intensity in the upcoming encounter. 

In the last five years, the two sides have met twice. India won 2-0 in a World Cup Qualifier in 2021 and the next meeting between the sides, also in 2021, ended in a 1-1 draw. 

"It's always tough against India, you even saw it at the Salt Lake [in a World Cup Qualifier in 2019]. This time won't be any different because we will try our best to win," said Ibrahim

"India have always been the opponent to beat for Bangladesh in football. We are fully focused and we want to make the nation proud by beating India.

"We are hopeful with the attacking third because the best scorers of the Bangladesh Premier League are there.

"The coach plans to build up a good combination between Hamza Choudhury and the local performers and we are hopeful to produce a good result against India."