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.

The Bangladesh national football team are likely to face a European opponent during the upcoming FIFA international window from September 1–9.

Bangladesh football team's midfield facelift, which began with the arrival of Hamza Chowdhury, entered its next phase yesterday with Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome getting called up in the 26-member preliminary squad for the team's Asian Cup Qualifying tie against Singapore at home on June 10.

The national team received a boost with the addition of midfielder Shamit Shome, who joins star player Hamza Choudhury in the middle of the park.

Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome has been cleared by FIFA to play for Bangladesh, Bangladesh Football Federation vice president Fahad Karim confirmed to The Daily Star today. 

The growing momentum around Bangladesh football received another boost as Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome took a significant step toward representing the national team. The 27-year-old visited the Bangladesh High Commission in Toronto to advance the process of obtaining his Bangladeshi passport. Shamit, currently a regular starter for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League, has already secured clearance from the Canadian Soccer Association to switch his international allegiance. He also received birth certificates of himself and his parents with coordination from the Bangladesh Football Federation. 

The 27-year-old, currently a regular for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League, was previously capped twice in friendlies for the Canada senior team in 2020.