Bangladesh set to battle Singapore in pursuit of three crucial points

On the eve of their crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Singapore, Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera and captain Jamal Bhuyan voiced strong confidence in the team’s preparedness and determination to secure a vital win.

“Our preparations have gone very well,” said Cabrera during the pre-match press conference.
“It’s been a short window, but our training sessions have been intense and focused. We’ve addressed all the key aspects we believe will be crucial for the game.”

Bangladesh head into the match buoyed by a 2-0 friendly victory over Bhutan last week—something Cabrera believes provides a timely boost ahead of what he anticipates will be a fiercely competitive contest.

“The big match is tomorrow, and we are absolutely ready,” he affirmed.
“I expect a very competitive game. Every match in this campaign is intense, and we’re prepared for that.”

Reflecting on their hard-fought draw against India in the last qualifier, Cabrera stressed the importance of learning and progressing.

“We always aim to improve on our last performance. While we did well against India, there are areas that needed work—and we’ve focused on those. Hopefully, we’ll show that improvement tomorrow.”

He also noted that the final 23-man squad would be confirmed following the team’s last training session in the evening.

Captain Jamal Bhuyan, speaking alongside his coach, echoed the same sense of readiness and optimism.

“The camp may have been short, but it’s been productive and very positive,” Jamal said.
“Since the India game, this match has been on everyone’s mind. We’ve all been looking forward to it. We’re ready to go out there, fight, and grab those three points.”

With fan anticipation mounting, Jamal also addressed the pressure surrounding the fixture.

“Whether it’s 10 people or 20,000 in the stands, the pressure remains the same,” he said.
“In the end, we play for our country. The crowd doesn’t change our responsibility. Once we step onto the pitch, we have to block everything out and focus.”

And for Bangladesh, the mission is clear.

“Our main goal is three points,” Jamal concluded.