Hamza Chowdhury played a key role as Bangladesh beat Bhutan in an exciting match. His smart passing and strong presence helped the team win confidently. Fans cheered as Bangladesh showed great teamwork and skill on the field.
A Glorious Night in Dhaka
The National Stadium in Dhaka came alive after 55 long months as Bangladesh beat Bhutan 2-0 in a friendly football match. The stadium lights were not the only thing that shined—football returned with energy, emotion, and a new star named Hamza Chowdhury.
Born in England and known for playing with Leicester City in the Premier League, Hamza played only his second match for Bangladesh. But he made it unforgettable by scoring his first goal for the national team. The crowd roared with joy and chanted “Bangladesh! Bangladesh!” as the dream of winning returned.
A Perfect Start by Hamza
Only 6 minutes into the match, Bangladesh earned a corner. Captain Jamal Bhuiyan stepped up, sent the ball into the box, and Hamza headed it perfectly into the net. The stadium exploded with happiness. For many fans, it felt like getting back something that had been missing for years.
Though Hamza had only scored once in 57 Premier League matches before, this goal was something special. It wasn’t just a goal—it was a symbol of hope and change.
Bangladesh Dominate the Match
After the first goal, Bhutan struggled to respond. Bangladesh kept attacking and looked confident. In the 32nd minute, debutant Fahamidul Islam impressed with a strong run down the left, but his shot was saved. Later, Bhutan also stopped a shot from Jamal.
Still, Bangladesh stayed ahead in control, passing, and pressure. The team looked full of energy, with Hamza staying mostly in the opponent’s half. He didn’t have to defend much but was brilliant in midfield.
The lineup showed the new face of Bangladeshi football—five foreign-born players played together: Jamal, Hamza, Fahamidul, Kazem, and Tariq. Even two brothers, Saad and Taj Uddin, played in defense. However, the team looked a bit uncoordinated in the first half.
Coach Javier Cabrera made three changes at halftime—Hamza, Jamal, and Kazem were taken off, giving rest before the next match against Singapore on June 10. These changes worked immediately.
Second Goal and Emotional Moments
In the 48th minute, Sohel Rana scored with a fantastic long-range shot from 25 yards out, making it 2-0. Bangladesh kept attacking. Rakib Hossain came close to scoring again, but his shot went wide. Fahamidul, playing on the left wing, showed good promise in his debut.
However, the off-field situation was not as organized. Fans broke through the gates after long waits, and some with tickets couldn’t enter the stadium. There were angry faces, and many blamed poor match management. Such disorganization hurt the atmosphere of what could have been a perfect football celebration.
In a surprising moment, one excited fan jumped the fence and ran toward Hamza just to take a photo. Security quickly stepped in, but the moment felt like something from a European stadium. It showed how much passion Hamza and the team had sparked.
Late in the game, Bhutan had one big chance, but goalkeeper Mitul Marma made a great save. Then came the final whistle—Bangladesh had won 2-0.
A Night to Remember
After the match, Fahamidul met his parents. Fans rushed to take selfies with Hamza. Even new player Shamit Som watched the scenes from the VIP box.
More than 1,000 people came to watch despite the stadium holding 21,000. But it wasn’t just about the numbers. The lights, the chants, and the two goals marked the return of football joy in Bangladesh. It wasn’t just a match it was the beginning of something beautiful once again.
