Bangladesh national team coach Javier Cabrera believed that their FIFA friendly against Bhutan today would be a perfect test ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers against Singapore on June 10.
The match against Bhutan will start at 7:00pm at the National Stadium, which will host its first international since 2020.
‘We are preparing for the big game against Singapore. And we have an interesting challenge [against Bhutan] that will be a perfect test to prepare,’ Cabrera said during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
This will be the 17th meeting between the two sides since September 1984, with Bangladesh winning on 12 occasions against two draws and two losses.
Despite being one step behind Bhutan (182nd) in the current FIFA rankings and having lost their last game 1-0 in Thimphu in September 2024, Bangladesh will be boosted by three expatriate players.
England-based Hamza Choudhury and Italy-based Fahamedul Islam have already joined the team, while Canada-based Shamit Shome is scheduled to join them today.
Cabrera confirmed that Hamza will start and Fahamedul will have some game time, but Shamit is unlikely to play due to jet lag.
‘Hamza will be available… I think Shamit will be rested and will play in the Singapore match. Fahmidul, you will see him play for some time,’ said the Spaniard.
‘Some players will get their chances. At the same time, it is important to take the opportunity to prepare for the match against Singapore. And you will be able to see the approach [of players].’
Bhutan national team coach Atsushi Nakamura hailed Bangladesh currently as the best national football team in South Asia.
‘Currently, Bangladesh are the best team in South Asia … Last time we had home advantage at high altitude at home. This time it is their advantage, and in hotter conditions, they are fortunate to have Hamza, a big player with great experience…We are very lucky to play against a player like Hamza…So, we are happy to play them,’ said Nakamura.
