Former Premier League star makes bold statement upon arrival in Vietnam

FA Cup champion Hamza Chowdhury has arrived in Hanoi and is confident ahead of the match between the Bangladesh national team and the Vietnam national team.

Hamza Chowdhury's presence in Hanoi is drawing significant attention ahead of the friendly match between the Vietnam and Bangladesh national teams. The star who won the FA Cup with Leicester City is considered the most anticipated highlight for the visiting side, as he brings English-level class and experience.

The midfielder born in 1997 officially joined the Bangladesh national team on the afternoon of March 24 after traveling from England. Previously, he could not come to Vietnam as planned due to commitments with Leicester City. Hamza flew with Turkish Airlines and arrived in Hanoi around 4 PM, where team leader Amer Khan personally met him at the airport.

Due to the effects of the long flight, Hamza did not participate in the team training session at 5 PM that day. However, his presence still provided a significant morale boost for Bangladesh. The immigration procedures went smoothly, allowing this player to quickly settle in and prepare for the important match.

Speaking to the media, Hamza Chowdhury expressed clear excitement about facing the Vietnam national team. Upon arriving in Hanoi, he stated: "Injury is no longer an issue". Simultaneously, this midfielder also said: "I am very eager to train and play", demonstrating his determination to contribute to the national team.

With extensive experience, Hamza is predicted to likely feature in Bangladesh's starting lineup. He is currently the brightest star of the South Asian team, having scored 4 goals in 7 appearances. Hamza's ability to compete, support defense, and initiate attacks will pose a considerable challenge for the Vietnam national team.

Developed in the Leicester City academy, Hamza Chowdhury debuted for the first team in 2017 and has made over 100 appearances. The highlight of his career is winning the FA Cup in 2021. Additionally, this player has competed in European tournaments and became the first Bangladeshi-origin player to score in a continental cup, before choosing to represent the Bangladesh national team from 2025.