Shamit Shome arrives in Dhaka

Canadian-born midfielder Shamit Shome has arrived in Dhaka to join the Bangladesh national football team ahead of their crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore on June 10.

As part of their preparation, Bangladesh will take on Bhutan in a FIFA friendly match today (June 4).

Shome, the latest of six expatriate players called up by head coach Javier Cabrera, landed in the capital on Wednesday morning. His inclusion is seen as part of Cabrera’s strategy to bolster the squad ahead of the high-stakes fixtures. However, due to travel fatigue, Som is unlikely to feature in today's friendly against Bhutan.

The midfielder has been eligible to represent Bangladesh since May 6, following approval from FIFA’s Player Status Committee. Speaking upon arrival at Shahjalal International Airport, Som expressed his excitement and optimism.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates and being part of the team. I’ve already spoken with the coach about our playing style and roles. I know we have a good team, and hopefully, we can achieve something positive.”