The Bangladesh women’s football team left Dhaka for Cox’s Bazar yesterday morning to take part in the first ever SAFF Women’s Football Championship with a hope of making it to the semifinals.
Bangladesh have been placed in Group A along with favourites India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan while Group B consists of Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan.
Maldives were the second side to arrive in Chittagong yesterday after Bhutan, who came on Sunday and lost a warm-up match against Bangladesh 7-0 on Monday.
India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to arrive Dhaka today while Afghanistan is expected to reach Dhaka tomorrow. All five teams will then leave for Cox’s Bazar by road.
Bangladesh have reason to dream of playing the last four as they had beaten Sri Lanka 2-0 during the SA Games football event earlier this year. They also had a decent showing in the qualifying rounds of the
AFC U-19 Women’s Football Championship.
“Now our side is more composed compared to the squad that finished third during the SA Games and they have improved a lot tactically. Besides, our strength is increased after the inclusion of 10 players from the U-19 team,” said coach Golam Rabbani Choton on the eve of leaving Dhaka.
“Definitely, India are the best side in the tournament and are ahead of us but Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are almost equal sides though we beat them during SA Games. So we are hoping to qualify for the semifinals and then make it to the final” said Choton.
The coach also informed that he had worked on the mistakes the girls made during the AFC U-19 competitions and believed that the midfielders would play a key role in deciding Bangladesh’s fate.
Player like striker Sabina Khatun, midfielders Nubai Ching Marma and Suinu Pru Marma could make the difference, believed the Bangladesh coach.
SQUAD: Kemi Chakma, Sabina Akhter, Trishna Chakma, Farhana Khatun, Surovi Akhter Iti, Khaleda Khatun, Rupali Chakma, Suinu Ching Marma, Bely Khatun, Nubai, Suinu , Mainu Marma, Jahanara Akhter Janu, Asia Khaun Bithi, Mahmuda Akhter Ananna, Tahmina Akhter Putul, Sabina and Ongmraching Marma.
