Bangladesh’s domestic competitions are not producing forwards who steal the spotlight in big matches. Goals in lopsided fixtures, played in front of empty stands, do little to prepare players for the intensity of international football.

Jamal Bhuiyan, the most-capped player in Bangladesh’s history, is slowly becoming a peripheral figure in the team despite being the captain. To know his views on this issue and his overall plans in football, The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman and Atique Anam caught up with the Denmark-born midfielder. Following are the excerpts of the interview.

Cabrera hails debutant's impact

The public outcry over the departure of Italy-based Bangladeshi footballer Fahamedul Islam from the national team carried over to the second day with the sports adviser Asif Mahmud and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Tabith Awal having to weigh in on the issue today.

Cabrera, who had a meeting with Hamza in Dhaka tonight, revealed that the entire squad was eager to welcome him and start preparing for the crucial clash against India.

Bangladesh football team head coach Javier Cabrera said Italy-based Bangladeshi footballer Fahamedul Islam was sent home after the national team’s camp in Saudi Arabia as the youngster needs more time to adapt and there are more suitable options available in the squad at the moment.

The Bangladesh national football team scored more than 12 goals in a match on Thursday. At first glance, this might seem like an extraordinary feat, a reason to celebrate the team's attacking prowess -- especially since Bangladesh are not known for scoring heavily at the international level.

National team forward Mohammad Ibrahim said all the players are eager for a place in the starting eleven, particularly because the opposition is India, as the men in red and green continue to ramp up preparations in training for their Asian Cup Qualifiers match on March 25 against their neighbours.  

The men in red and green are expected to fly out to India on March 19, a day after Hamza Chowdhury is expected to join the team in Dhaka.

Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury has been named alongside Italy-based young midfielder Fahamedul Islam in the 38-member preliminary squad for Bangladesh’s first Asian Cup Qualifiers match against India, which will be held in Shilong on March 25.

Looking ahead, Cabrera plans a four-week training camp, potentially in Saudi Arabia, to prepare for their Asian Cup Qualifiers opener against India in March.

Bangladesh national team coach Javier Cabrera believes the inclusion of Leicester City footballer Hamza Choudhury will increase the standard of the team in coming days.

Cabrera’s contract extension will see him lead the men in red and green in six Asian Cup Qualifier matches starting next March, as well as the proposed home-and-away format SAFF Championship scheduled for June.

The contracts of both Cabrera and Butler expired on December 31 last year

Javier Cabrera expressed quiet optimism regarding Bangladesh's fixtures in the third round of Asian Cup Qualifiers, which pitted his charges against India, Hong Kong and Singapore in Group C.

With a month and a half left to Javier Cabrera’s extended contract, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is yet to take any decision whether to extend with the Spaniard or look for a replacement.

The Bangladesh Football Ultras cheered on the team right through the match and serenaded them on their way out of the Bashundhara Kings Stadium, where Javier Cabrera’s charges had just snatched a deserved victory in stoppage time, thanks to a late goal from substitute midfielder Papon Singh.

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera had neither any explanation nor any excuse after his side lost a FIFA friendly match against Maldives 1-0 at home, dashing their hopes of getting a favourable draw in next year's Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera has not included captain Jamal Bhuiyan in the preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA friendlies against Maldives at home next month.

Bangladesh football team’s head coach Javier Cabrera told media today that he expects Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury in the side from the start of the first match of the AFC Asian Cup in March next year.