Hamza joins Bangladesh's practice to play against Hong Kong

Leicester City midfielder HamzaDewanChoudhury underwent first practice with Bangladesh national football team on Tuesday evening ahead of their upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match against Hong Kong, China, scheduled for October 9 at the National Stadium.

Hamzaarrived in the capital on Monday morning. Upon landing at HazratShahjalal International Airport around 11 a.m., the football star went straight to the hotel. He is expected to join the national team's practice session at the National Stadium in the afternoon.

In a video message, Hamza said: "Insha'Allah, we'll be successful. On the 9th, we'll play against Hong Kong, and Insha'Allah, everyone will support us." 

The England-born midfielder will get three practice sessions with the team before Bangladesh's crucial match against Hong Kong.

The match is very important from Bangladesh's point of view. After losing to Singapore in the previous match, Bangladesh's chances of qualifying for the World Cup are practically over in this group. The team will have no choice but to win against Hong Kong to keep their qualification hopes alive on paper. Earlier, Head coach Javier Cabrera has called up 28 players to camp ahead of Bangladesh's AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Hong Kong. 

Key stars Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome are both set to join the squad - Hamza on 6 October and Shamit on 7 October. Italy-based Fahamidul Islam is also included. Bangladesh will host Hong Kong on October 9 in Dhaka before the return leg away on 14 October. The team has so far drawn 0-0 with India in Shillong and lost 2-1 at home to Singapore.

Preliminary squad

Goalkeepers: Mitul Marma, Md Sujon Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Srabon

Defenders: Topu Barman, Sad Uddin, Tariq RaihanKazi, MehediHasan, Rahmat Mia, MdShakilAhadTopu, TajUddin, Zayan Ahmed, Abdullah Omar Sojib

Midfielders: MdHridoy, Syed Shah KazemKirmani, Jamal Bhuyan, SohelRana, MdSohelRana, HamzaChoudhury, ShamitShome
Forwards: Sheikh Morsalin, Fahamidul Islam, Md Ibrahim, Al Amin, MdShahriarEmon, Faisal Ahmed Fahim, RakibHossain, Arman Faisal Akash, Sumon Reza.