Football Fever Erupts in Dhaka Ahead of Bangladesh vs Singapore Clash
Dhaka’s National Stadium buzzed with electric anticipation as thousands of fans descended on the venue five hours before Bangladesh’s Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore which will begin at 7:00pm. By 2:00pm, the stadium’s surroundings were a sea of red and green, with supporters chanting, waving flags, and clutching placards celebrating their football heroes – Hamza Chowdhury, Shamit Som, and Fahamidul Islam. The atmosphere harked back to the golden era of Bangladeshi football in the ‘80s and ‘90s, when Abahani-Mohammedan clashes packed galleries by noon. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) opened the gates at 2:30pm, half an hour later than planned, as crowds swelled around gates 3 and 4. The “Bangladesh Football Ultras,” a passionate supporter group, led the charge, chanting slogans and rallying fans despite their frustration over limited ticket access. Their presence has been a constant in the lead-up, camping outside the BFF office for days, demanding entry to witness this historic match. By 3:30pm, half the stadium’s seats were filled, with fans braving the scorching sun to secure their spots.
Many sported headbands and flags in national colours, while others held signs, including one poetic tribute: “Hamza-Shamit-Fahamidul, do not make a mistake by scoring a goal.” The trio – Hamza Chowdhury, a former English Premier League star, Shamit Som, ex-Canadian national team player, and Fahamidul Islam, an Italian expatriate footballer – has reignited a passion not seen since Bangladesh’s 2003 SAFF Championship triumph over India. Hamza’s debut in Shillong against India sparked this frenzy, amplified by the prospect of him playing alongside Shamit and Fahamidul on home soil. The match against Singapore, a tougher opponent in a crucial qualifier, has drawn unprecedented interest. With only 18,300 tickets available, the BFF’s online portal crashed under the weight of lakhs of eager fans, leaving those who snagged tickets feeling like they’d won the lottery.
From Gulistan to Dainik Bangla crossing, streams of supporters in Bangladesh jerseys, draped in flags and clutching banners, transformed Dhaka into a football carnival. The question on everyone’s lips: Can Hamza, Shamit, and Fahamidul deliver a victory to match this fervour? For now, the stage is set, and the nation waits with bated breath.
