Cabrera to 'assess and consider Hamza's availability' for Vietnam match

Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera has said the team will take a cautious approach regarding the availability of Hamza Choudhury for their FIFA international friendly against Vietnam on Thursday.

The midfielder only arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday after travelling from England and has since joined the squad in training ahead of what will be the first senior meeting between the two nations in 25 years.

“Hamza only arrived yesterday afternoon. He is doing well, but needs time to adjust to the weather and time zone. We will assess and consider his availability for the match,” Cabrera said during the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

Hamza’s inclusion has generated considerable excitement around the Bangladesh camp, especially after his recent return from injury. The Leicester City midfielder expressed his readiness and enthusiasm to contribute despite a long journey, signalling his eagerness to play a role in the upcoming fixtures.

However, Cabrera’s measured stance underlines the importance of managing the 28-year-old’s workload, particularly given the challenging conditions in Vietnam and the tight schedule that also includes an AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Singapore later this month.

The clash against Vietnam presents a stern test for Bangladesh, with the Southeast Asian side ranked significantly higher in the FIFA standings and widely regarded as one of the stronger teams in the region.

Vietnam coach Kim Sang Sik said he was well aware of Hamza’s threat, however, their only target was a victory.

“I am aware of Hamza. He is playing in England. Together with my players, we are analyzing videos of him to find ways to deal with his strengths. Our target is to win the match,” he said.