Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera finds himself at a defining crossroads, blessed with a momentous opportunity to shape the very future of the country’s football.

Bangladesh football team captain Jamal Bhuyan has expressed his desire to see Shamit Shome, Fahamedul Islam, Zayyan Ahmed, and himself included in the starting eleven.

Hamza Choudhury will lead the midfield along with Sohel Rana Sr, Sohel Rana Jr and Sheikh Morsalin.

The 27-year-old will have only one training session with the team before Thursday’s match at the National Stadium.

Leicester City's Bangladeshi midfielder Hamza Choudhury reached Dhaka this morning to take part in the national team's upcoming Asian Cup Qualifiers fixtures against Hong Kong, China. The 28-year-old trained with the team under lights at the National Stadium the same evening as the men in red and green gear up for the home fixture on October 9 before travelling to Hong Kong, China for the reverse fixture. Photos: Firoz Ahmed 

Bangladesh football team forward Mohammad Ibrahim said that they will feel the absence of star teammates Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, and Fahamedul Islam in their upcoming two FIFA friendlies against hosts Nepal but was hopeful that the experienced players in the side will make up for these absences.

Bangladesh national team head coach Javier Cabrera remains confident about preparing his side for the two upcoming FIFA friendlies against hosts Nepal on September 6 and 9, despite 10 Bashundhara Kings players expected to join the national camp only next month.

About 10 years ago, in 2015, the Bangladesh national football team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Singapore in a FIFA friendly match. Tuesday’s identical 2-1 defeat to the same opponent in the Asian Cup Qualifiers at the same ground gives the impression that the men in red and green have remained in the same place they were a decade ago -- despite the inclusion of expatriate players like Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome.

Bangladesh’s 2-1 defeat to Singapore in the Asian Cup Qualifiers wasn’t just a defeat -- it was a missed opportunity to build something better with the right tools finally in hand. And that’s exactly what former striker and Mohammedan’s league-winning coach Alfaz Ahmed is talking about: we finally have the parts, but we don’t know how to assemble the machine.

Bangladesh midfielder Shamit Shome expressed his disappointment following his side’s 2-1 defeat to Singapore in an AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers fixture at the National Stadium on Tuesday but remained optimistic about the future of Bangladesh football.

Just hours after Bangladesh’s defeat against Singapore in an AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers fixture, coach Javier Cabrera as well as foreign-born players -- Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome -- departed Dhaka, confirmed a key member of the team’s management.

Anticipation was high, yet the scenes at the newly renovated National Stadium still amazed as the entire premises transformed into a sea of white -- the color of Bangladesh’s home jersey -- as Bangladesh prepared to face Singapore in a much-hyped Asian Cup Qualifier yesterday.

When was the last time you saw more than 23000 people packed into a stadium for a Bangladesh football match? When did fans last beg for tickets, attempt to break through gates, and prompt an army intervention?

Despite a 2-0 defeat to Singapore in their Asian Cup Qualifiers encounter at the National Stadium on Tuesday, Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera insisted his side was the better team and described the result as deeply disappointing.

With more than three hours to go before kick-off in the highly-anticipated Asian Cup Qualifier between Bangladesh and Singapore, the newly renovated National Stadium is already transforming into a sea of white -- the colour of Bangladesh's home jersey.

The Daily Star’s Ekush Tapadar, Anisur Rahman, and Atique Anam delve into Bangladesh’s prospects in this much-anticipated encounter, examine the influence of these high-profile players on the national team and address the persistent issues crippling the country's domestic football.

The 26-year-old midfielder, born to Sylheti parents, is set to watch the FIFA friendly match between Bangladesh and Bhutan tonight at 7pm at the National Stadium, marking his first appearance in the country since his call-up.

Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome is set to make his Bangladesh debut in the Asian Cup Qualifier against Singapore on June 10. The 26-year-old, born to Sylheti parents, follows in the footsteps of Jamal Bhuiyan and Hamza Choudhury as another expatriate embracing his roots.

A few expatriates have made their way into Bangladesh football in recent times, with Canada-based Shamit Shome being the latest addition after England-based Hamza Choudhury, Fahamedul Islam from Italy, Finland-based Tarik Kazi, and Denmark-based Jamal Bhuiyan.

The Bangladesh national football team is set to begin preparations from Saturday for two upcoming international fixtures, with 26 players joining camp at the Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka.