A 23-member of Bangladesh U-18 national women’s football team will leave here for Bhutan today (Wednesday) to take part in the SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship scheduled to be held from September 28 to October 7 in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Bangladesh, drawn in Group B along with Nepal and Pakistan, will play their group opening match against Pakistan on September 30 before facing Nepal in their second and last group match on October 2.
After the group phase matches, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals to be held on October 5 while the final is slated on October 7. All the matches will be held at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu.
Earlier, both head coach and captain of the team expressed their high hope to play in the final of the tournament.
Head coach Golam Rabbani Choton said they are going to take part in the championship for the first time and they want to make it memorable by playing good football as their aim is to play the SAFF final.
He said: “The team has been practicing for a long time and I think the team has great combination with U-16 and U-18 players, who played a lot of international matches … I hoped they will be able to do good result in the tournament.”
Team skipper Moushumi Akter also echoed her coach’s statement as she said they want to play the SAFF final.
She said they have been undergoing training for a long time and doing hard work for the tournament.
“Obviously I am feeling some pressure being a captain of the team… but I will try my level best to guide my team on the ground as well as fight strongly to take the team to the final, she said while responding to a question from the newsmen.
Bangladesh U-18 squad: Mahmuda Akter, Rupa Chakma, Ruksana Begum, Masura Parvin, Sheuli Azim, Mossammat Akhi Khatun, Sajada Khatun, Shamsunnahar, Anai Mogini, Nazma, Ritu Porna Chakma, Nilufa Yesmin Nila, Maria Manda, Mosammat Mishrat Jahan Moushumi, Mosammat Ishrat Jahan Ratna, Monika Chakma, Marzia, Sanjida Akhter, Tohura Khatun, Mosammat Sirat Jahan Shopna, Srimoti Krashnarani Sarkar, Mosammat Razia Khatun and Anuching Mogini.
Officials: Amirul Islam (team manager), Paul Thomas Smalley (technical and strategic director), Golam Rabbani Choton ( head coach), Mahbubur Rahman Litu (assistant coach), Mahmuda Akter(assistant coach), Sabina Khatun (assistant coach) and Khalid Mahmud (media officer).
