Agency :
The four-nation SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship ‘2024 begins today at the Bir Shreshtho Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mustafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur with Bangladesh coach and captain keeping their birds eyes to retain the title.
Defending champions Bangladesh will start their campaign, taking on Himalayan nation Nepal in the opening match, which will kick off at 7 pm today.
On the same day, India and Bhutan will do battle in the opening clash of the four-team tournament’s second edition.
In the remaining matches, Bangladesh will play their giant neighbor India on February 4 and Bhutan on February 6 at the same time and same venue.
The final match between top-two-teams of four nations will be held on February 8.
India, Bhutan, Nepal and hosts Bangladesh are the participating teams.
The Bangladesh squad comprises five national players from the senior women’s team in captain Afeida Akter, vice captain Shopna Rani, Shorna Rani Mondol, Eti Khatun and Surma Jannat and three footballers from Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan in Bonya Khatun, Lutfa Akter Lima and Nobiron Khatun.
Bangladesh women’s team head coach Saiful Bari Titu will guide the young girls in red and green who are mostly represented by members of the U-17 side, as many as 14.
Bangladesh team coach Saiful Bari Tito said, “Our team has a good combination of experienced and promising footballers. They are playing football together for long time, so we are hopeful about retaining the title.”
Bangladesh Captain Afida Khandakar said, “We are now targeting the first match and later advance gradually towards the title race.”
Bangladesh squad:Goalkeepers: Rupna Chakma, Yasmin Akhtar and Eity Rani.
Defenders: Akhi Khatun, Shamsunnahar (Sr.), Anai Mogini, Nasrin Akter, Nilufa Yesmin Nila, Afeida Khandaker, Unnoti Khatun and Kohati Kisku.
Midfielders: Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Shohagi Kisku, Shahada Akter Ripa, Ritu Porna Chakma and Marzia.
Forwards: Shopna Rani, Tohura Khatun, Anuching Mogini, Halima Khatun, Shamsunnahar (Jr), and Rehena Akter.
