Titu sees tough challenge for girls in Asian Cup
BSS, Dhaka :
Bangladesh U-17 women’s football team head coach AKM Saiful Bari Titu categorically admitted that his girls are going to face tough challenge as Jordan and Chinese Taipei are strong side of the group of 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualification.
Bangladesh will play two group H matches of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup qualification in Jordan. Bangladesh will play their first group match against host Jordan on October 13 and play Chinese Taipei on October 17.
Before the Asian Cup qualifiers, Bangladesh will depart for United Aram Emirates (UAE) today to play two more friendly matches against Syria and UAE on October 7 and October 9 respectively.
“We are going to deal with two countries of the Asian Cup, Jordan ranked 76th and Taipei ranked 42nd, the two teams are clearly ahead of us.” Said Titu at a pre-departure press conference was held at Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban on Saturday.
The head coach said he has no idea about Chinese Taipei but he has seen the highlight video match of Jordan. Jordan players’ are physically strong and their shooting capacity is good.
But now the question is how much the girls are prepared to handle the challenge. The girls have to be more concentrated on the two tough matches.
BFF Women’s wing committee’s chairperson Mahfuza Akter Kiron said the team is going to Jordan with a very short-term preparation and she thinks that two matches against Jordan and Taipei would be learning matches for the girls.
Team captain Arpita Biswas said all of her teammates have gained international experience and now their aim is to qualify in the Asian Cup.
Bangladesh U-17 women’s squad:
Meghla Rani, Shiuly Roy, Arifa Akter, Sorovi Akter, Arpita (captain), Kranuching Marma, Mamoni Chakma, Umma Kulshum, Alpi Akter, Thuinuye Marma, Fatema Akter Protima Akter, Puja Chakma, Mst Almina, Reya, Mst Momita Khatun, Mishu Rani, Amena Khatun, Purnima Marma, Sauravi Akanda, Mst Resme Akter, Yearzan Begum and Ishita Tripura.