Hamza Shines But Bangladesh Pay the Price for Lack of Support
Bangladesh midfielder Hamza Choudhury once again proved he is the most electrifying talent, scoring a stunning brace including a bicycle-kick and a cheeky Panenka penalty, yet his heroics weren’t enough to avoid a late collapse, as Nepal snatched a 2–2 draw in a one-off international friendly at the National Stadium.
Hamza Carries the Team
After falling behind in the first half, Bangladesh looked a different side after the restart largely because of Hamza. His equalizer came immediately after the break: a looping pass from skipper Jamal Bhuiyan found him in the box, and in one fluid motion, he delivered a bicycle kick that stunned the stadium.
Just four minutes later, Bangladesh won a penalty when Rakib Hossain was fouled, and Hamza calmly converted it with a Panenka finish, sending Nepal’s keeper the wrong way.
It was the kind of individual performance that technically audacious and ruthlessly efficient that rarely comes from midfielders at international level. Hamza showed not only skill but also composure, making dangerous forward runs, contributing defensively, and sustaining his influence across multiple positions.
Defensive Fragility Costs Bangladesh
But the brilliance of one man could not paper over Bangladesh’s underlying issues. They conceded early — Rohit Chand gave Nepal the lead around the 29th minute, lashing a low shot into the net after exploiting a defensive miscue.
The more worrying moment came deep into injury time: from a corner, Nepal’s Ananta Tamang flicked home a back-heel finish, breaking Bangladeshi hearts and denying them a win.
That late lapse exemplified poor defensive organisation. Whether through zonal responsibility, marking assignments, or simple communication, the Bangladeshi back line failed to deal with the set piece at a crucial moment.
Where Was the Supporting Cast?
Hamza’s performance stood in sharp contrast with the rest of the squad. While he carried much of the creative burden, supporting players failed to match his level.
Midfield dynamics: Hamza’s teammates struggled to make forward runs. Without runners offering passing options, his visionary plays often went unexploited.
Attacking bluntness: Bangladesh looked for a third goal but could not penetrate Nepal’s disciplined defence. Rakib Hossain and Foysal Ahmed Fahim both saw decent opportunities, but lacked the clinical edge needed.
Substitution and game management: Coach Javier Cabrera made several changes — notably introducing Cuba Mitchell, who made his debut in the 80th minute — but by then the defensive structure seemed to unravel, especially in the dying moments.
A Big Moment for Him, But Not for the Team
For Hamza, this match added another highlight to his budding Bangladeshi career. According to reports, this was his first international brace. But for Bangladesh, the match felt like a missed opportunity: they were so close to a morale-boosting win, especially on home soil, ahead of important qualifiers.
The draw also extended a frustrating pattern: Nepal have not lost to Bangladesh in several recent encounters. The timing of the equaliser, in the third minute of stoppage time, only underscored Bangladesh’s notionally fragile mindset in closing out games.
Implications for the Road Ahead
This friendly carried more than just bragging rights, it was a warm-up for Bangladesh’s upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against India. The mixed result exposes both hope and concern:
1. Hope: Hamza’s form and influence are undeniable. If harnessed, he could become the fulcrum of Bangladesh’s team.
2. Concern: The rest of the squad must rise in tandem. Relying on one player to produce magic will not win competitive matches.
The coaching staff now faces a clear mandate: shore up the defence, develop game management in crucial moments, and balance the team so that creativity doesn’t hinge on a single individual.
Hamza made Brand Ambassador of Bkash
English club Leicester City player Hamza has been appointed as the new brand ambassador of bKash, the country’s leading mobile financial service provider. Under this partnership, Hamza will take part in a range of promotional activities aimed at inspiring customers to embrace cashless transactions while also supporting bKash’s broader mission to strengthen Bangladesh’s growing digital financial ecosystem.
The agreement was recently signed at a hotel in Dhaka, where bKash’s Chief Marketing Officer Mir Nawbut Ali, Chief Legal Officer M Mazedul Islam, Chief External & Corporate Affairs Officer Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (retd), and Head of Brand Ashraf Ull Bari, along with other senior officials, were present.
Expressing his excitement, Hamza said that joining a brand serving millions is a matter of pride for him, adding that he looks forward to promoting bKash and encouraging the adoption of cashless habits across the country.
Regarding his association with bKash, Hamza said, “Joining a brand like bKash, which serves millions of people, is a great opportunity. Representing bKash is a matter of pride for me. I am eagerly looking forward to working together to promote the best brand of the country as well as encouraging the cashless habits.”
Final Thoughts
In a football world where individual moments can define matches, Hamza Choudhury’s brilliance shone brightly — but his solo campaign was not enough. Bangladesh showed ambition, fight, and flashes of quality. Yet, the late equalizer exposed their fragility.
This match will be remembered for the spectacle of a mid-game revival, but also as a warning: tailor-made performances don’t substitute for collective resilience.
If Bangladesh want to compete strongly in their upcoming qualifiers, they must transform from a Hamza-centric side into a cohesive unit one capable of converting heroics into results.
