PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED

ANISUR RAHMAN

Football fans wear their hearts on their sleeves, but at Dhaka’s National Stadium yesterday, Hong Kong, China’s travelling supporters added a refreshing twist. Around 110 fans journeyed from Hong Kong, China, not only waving their own emblems but also incorporating a touch of Bangladesh into their banners and scarves. The placards bore both the Chinese dragon and the Royal Bengal Tiger, symbolising goodwill and sporting respect ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers fixture.

Arriving on Tuesday, the Hong Kong FA-supported group transformed a corner behind the dugouts into a lively patch of Hong Kong. “We made the scarves ourselves, not for sale -- a gesture of friendship,” said one fan, with George Tan adding it was their first away-game street march.

Before kick-off, one female supporter cheekily predicted a Hong Kong win, while another grinned: “We want Bangladesh to score one, and Hong Kong two.” The first hour delivered that wish, with Hamza Choudhury giving the hosts a breakthrough before Hong Kong pulled one back at the stroke of half-time before taking the lead in the 50th minute, leaving the score level at 2-1 in favour of the visitors.

More drama unfolded in the remaining minutes, as both sides netted two more goals each, but eventually, the Hong Kong fan’s wish of a narrow win came true.

Earlier, as the gates opened at 3:00pm, local fans poured in, families in red and green eager to see Hamza and company in action. Madrasa student Sifat Ullah was “hoping for a good result,” while Tofael Ahmed brought his young daughter to share the football fever which evoked nostalgia in him.

While the home crowd brought warmth and family spirit, the Hong Kong supporters stood out for their passion and goodwill -- proof that football, at its best, is a celebration of connection as much as competition.