Bangladesh national football team skipper Jamal Bhuyan spoke at a pre-match press conference in Shillong, India on Monday. Photo : Collected

DHAKA, March 24, 2025 (BSS)- Bangladesh national football team skipper Jamal 
Bhuyan said they are only focusing to win the match against India as the 
captain was found less bothered of the ranking gap between Bangladesh and 
India.

Bangladesh take on their arch-rival India in their opening group C match of 
the  AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers scheduled to be held tomorrow (Tuesday) at 
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, India.

“Honestly we don’t think about the ranking ….. my focus is only how to win the 
match . I think this is the best squad so far as the coach mentioned ……Hamza’s 
presence is definitely a big boost for us and we only want three points and 
prepared to give our best effort against India,” Jamal said at a pre-match 
press conference in Shillong, India on Monday, according to a message received 
here from Bangladesh Football Federation this afternoon.
  
Replying to a question Jamal said the mentality of all the team members are 
the same as they are focusing for win, but if the match ends in draw it would 
be ok.

The Bangladesh skipper replying to another query said: “Hamza’s inclusion in 
the squad is definitely a positive sign but the local players have also 
prepared for the game. The mentality has been changed because the way the 
players are playing is totally different since the coach took charge of the 
team. Lots of things have been changed and the players are now more ready than 
two years ago where they were in SAFF.”

When asked if he feels any extra pressure as the football fans are expecting 
win from Bangladesh, Jamal admitted that this match against India is off-
course a pressure one but at the same time they are cool and want to win the 
match.

Bangladesh national football team’s head coach Javier Cabrera, who was also 
present in the press conference, said the match against India is going to be 
very much exciting.

He said the players are very much motivated and have been training hard in the 
last twenty four days. Boys are very confident and expecting a very tight game 
against India and hoped to make the things very difficult for the home side.