Hamza's impact strengthens as Bangladesh adjusts to the cold in Shillong

The Bangladesh team departed yesterday morning and, following a four-hour layover in Kolkata, arrived in the hilly northeastern city of Shillong in the afternoon.

"Everyone is safe and sound after the journey," team manager Amer Khan told The Daily Star over the phone.

He added that the players are currently resting, as there are no scheduled training sessions or activities for the day. The squad has checked into the Vivanta Hotel, where they will stay ahead of their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers opener. Before departure, Amer expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, particularly highlighting the impact of Hamza Choudhury’s inclusion, which he believes has injected fresh energy into the squad.

"I think Hamza’s arrival has changed the atmosphere. It’s an added motivation that will help us achieve a good result," he remarked.

Defender Tapu Barman, speaking before the team’s flight, praised Hamza’s abilities and underscored the importance of arriving early to adapt to Shillong’s chilly conditions.

"Hamza is a top player with excellent physical fitness, but we may need some time to adjust to Shillong’s weather. That’s why we’re traveling early. We also have a few final training sessions there, which will help us acclimate both to the conditions and among ourselves before the match," he explained, emphasizing that Bangladesh is fully focused on securing a victory against India on March 25.

Meanwhile, head coach Javier Cabrera remains tight-lipped about the final 23-man squad. Despite conducting 20 days of training, the Spaniard has traveled with 24 players, excluding forward Piash Ahmed Nova, winger Arif Hossain, and defender Taj Uddin.

Amer confirmed that Cabrera will make his final selection the day before the match.

With the countdown underway, Bangladesh is eager to maximize their time in Shillong as they prepare for the crucial clash against the hosts.