Hamza Wary Of San Marino Test Ahead

Bangladesh midfielder Hamza Choudhury has said that his team will not underestimate San Marino despite the European nation’s position at the bottom of the FIFA rankings, as Bangladesh prepare for an international friendly scheduled for 5 June.

Hamza joined the Bangladesh squad on Tuesday ahead of the match and immediately expressed his enthusiasm about being part of the team. While playing in Europe is familiar territory for the UK-based footballer, the upcoming fixture represents a new experience for many of Bangladesh’s locally based players, who have not previously played against a European national team on European soil.

The midfielder said he was excited both by the surroundings and by the opportunity to represent Bangladesh in the match.

“I am very excited. The environment here is very nice. However, I am most excited about the match,” Hamza said after linking up with the squad.

Bangladesh are currently using the fixture as part of their preparations for future international competitions, including the SAFF Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Dhaka in November. The match against San Marino is expected to provide the coaching staff with an opportunity to assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses against European opposition.

Since joining the national team setup, Hamza has attracted considerable attention because of his experience in European football. His presence is also expected to help some of Bangladesh’s less experienced players adapt to unfamiliar conditions and a different style of opposition.

The midfielder acknowledged that integrating with teammates and adapting to new tactical approaches under the coaching staff would present challenges. He identified building on-field understanding with senior players, including Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuyan, as an important aspect of the preparation process.

Hamza, however, expressed confidence that he would settle quickly within the squad and adjust to the demands of the team.

“It will certainly be somewhat challenging for everyone. However, with time, I will be able to adapt, Insha’Allah. I am prepared to work hard and listen to the coach’s instructions,” he said.

Although Bangladesh are ranked 181st in the latest FIFA rankings and San Marino occupy 211th position, a difference of 30 places, Hamza believes the ranking gap does not guarantee an easy match.

He pointed out that San Marino regularly compete against some of Europe’s strongest national teams and have experience facing opponents of a consistently high standard. He also noted that Bangladesh would be playing away from home and facing a side working under a new coach.

“The match will certainly not be easy. They are accustomed to playing against big countries all the time, and the quality of their football has improved considerably. We are playing on their ground, and they have a new coach. Altogether, it is quite a challenging situation. It is a good challenge for us,” he said.

The midfielder added that Bangladesh are eager to demonstrate their capabilities against European opposition and to gain valuable experience from the occasion.

“We are looking forward to showing Europe and San Marino what we are capable of. At the same time, it will be excellent preparation for the SAFF Championship,” Hamza stated.

The fixture is viewed by Bangladesh as an important step in their preparations for upcoming regional competitions. Playing against a European team away from home offers an opportunity to evaluate the squad in a different competitive environment and to gain experience against opponents with a contrasting footballing background.

Hamza is scheduled to begin training with the squad from Wednesday. Before the match on 5 June, he will have two full training sessions with his teammates, providing limited but valuable time to build chemistry and familiarise himself with the tactical plans of the coaching staff.

For Bangladesh, the match is not only an opportunity to test themselves against European opposition but also a key part of their broader preparations for future international tournaments, including the SAFF Championship later this year.