'Our Approach To Every Game Is Similar': Head Coach Manolo Márquez Doesn't Have Any Special Plans For Hamza Choudhury

India will host Bangladesh in a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers in Shillong on March 25. The Blue Tigers defeated Maldives 3-0 in the last game and would be hoping to continue their momentum.

India failed to win a single game last year but showed flashes of brilliance against the Maldives. With only group winners qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, Manolo Marquez's team cannot put a foot wrong when they take on their neighbours on Monday.

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Sunil Chhetri came back from his retirement and even found the net in the last match.

Bangladesh have been bolstered by the addition of Hamza Choudhury who switched his allegiance to the country recently. Hamza will become the first Premier League player to represent Bangladesh and the anticipation is already high as he is set to make his debut against India.

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But Manolo Marquez insisted they don't have any specific plans for the midfielder and will play as a team. As quoted by the AIFF he said at the pre-match press conference, "Bangladesh have very good players. They've had the same coach (Javier Cabrera) for the last three years with the same philosophy. Most of the players are the same since they played against Maldives last November. Continuity is important.

"Hamza, obviously, is a good player who was playing in the Premier League. I think it's good for not just Bangladesh, but Asian football that such players are playing for the national team. I feel that the teammates will be very motivated to play with him.

"We always expect the best version of the opponent. Our approach to every game is similar, whoever the opponents are – Maldives, Bangladesh, Hong Kong or Singapore. You need to know the good and bad things about them. But we can't change our style of play. We know that if we play a good game, we will win tomorrow (on Tuesday)."

India played two draws out of the three matches they played against Bangladesh. In a bid to qualify for the 2027 marquee event, India need to top the group, which also comprises Singapore and Hong Kong.