ISLAMABAD: As March rolls in, the excitement surrounding the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers is palpable, particularly for the national football teams of Pakistan and Bangladesh. These teams are in intense preparation mode, gearing up for their respective matches on March 25, 2025. Pakistan will face Syria at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, while Bangladesh flies to Shillong to challenge hosts India at Jawaharlal Stadium.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced that their men's team will be in Saudi Arabia beginning March 20, where they will continue training under the guidance of reappointed Head Coach Stephen Constantine. The team finished their training in Lahore on March 19, gearing up for this crucial fixture in the qualifiers. "The team is set to depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow night, where they will continue their training under the guidance of Head Coach Stephen Constantine," a PFF statement read.
Constantine, who previously coached the team from late 2023 to mid-2024, has returned to help guide Pakistan's squad through this vital stage after FIFA lifted the country's international suspension earlier this month. This suspension, imposed on February 6, 2025, for rejecting electoral reforms, was lifted when the PFF unanimously approved FIFA's proposed constitutional amendments. With the lift of the suspension, the green shirts find themselves poised to make a strong impact in Group E of the qualifiers — alongside heavyweights Syria, as well as Afghanistan and Myanmar.
As for Bangladesh, they are focusing on an equally significant challenge, preparing for their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India on March 25. The Bangladeshi national team, fresh from a twelve-day training camp in Taif, Saudi Arabia, returns energized and ready to make their mark. The preliminary squad also welcomed star player Hamza Dewan Chowdhury, who recently switched his international allegiance to represent Bangladesh. Chowdhury arrived in the country on March 17 amid much anticipation and enthusiasm.
"It feels incredible. My heart is pumped. Amazing, amazing. A long time coming. Excited to be here," expressed Chowdhury, who will be donning the new-look Bangladesh jersey for the first time during the match against India. This opportunity represents a significant milestone for both the player and the national team as they aim to build effective team chemistry right before such a pivotal fixture.
Reflecting on the importance of fan support, Bangladesh's Spanish head coach Javier Cabrera addressed the media along with Chowdhury and captain Jamal Bhuyan at a press conference. “We are focused on our strategy and will rely on our fans to push us through,” Cabrera reiterated. As they head into their first qualifying match, the team is determined to perform at the top of their abilities against a formidable Indian side.
India recently started their qualifiers strong, defeating Maldives 3-0, with Sunil Chhetri finding the net. Bangladesh will need to harness the skills and talents at their disposable while navigating the pressure of competing against regional rivals. A victory for Bangladesh could prove transformative for the team as they seek to elevate their standing within Asian football.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani side aims to make the most of their renewed opportunity in the qualifiers. The squad has a number of promising players, and the team’s morale remains high. Coach Constantine is relying on both young and experienced players to produce a good showing against a tough Syrian side.
Drawing on the players’ collective experience and the training sessions in Saudi Arabia, Constantine and the players are optimistic about their chances. With both teams embracing a competitive spirit and a thirst for success, the upcoming matches promise to be exhilarating.
The matches on March 25 represent not just a chance for qualification to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 but also a monumental moment in the history of both nations’ footballing aspirations. As they round off their preparations, the input of passionate fans is expected to bolster both teams' performances on these crucial match days. Further emphasizing this, Herve Renard, coach of Saudi Arabia, echoed, “We can’t do it alone. We need the fans, they are the foundation of our qualification.”
As the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers heat up, the football community in South Asia is keenly watching Pakistan's and Bangladesh's progress. Whether they can leverage their rigorous training and newfound enthusiasm into winning performances remains to be seen, but one thing is sure — the stakes couldn’t be higher, and the spirit of competition is alive and well.
