Sports Reporter:
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-20 Women’s Championship will kick-off today at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital. A total of four teams from South Asian Region will take part in the football tournament for women. Hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan will compete in the round robin league basis football competition. The highest point-achiever will be the champions of the football competition. Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in the opening match, which starts at 3:00pm, while Nepal will face Bhutan, which begins at 7:00pm on the same day. Private satellite channel T Sports will telecast the matches live from the match-venue.
Before the tournament, a press conference was held at the Hotel InterContinental in the capital on Thursday.
Captain of Bangladesh Under-20 Football team Afeida Khandaker, who is also Captain of Bangladesh National Women’s Football team said, ” We shall play in the final round of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup but we don’t under estimate SAFF Under-20 Women’s Championship. We are the people of South Asian Region, So, we shall play in the all the competitions of SAFF Women’s Championship.”
Head Coach of Bangladesh Women’s Football team Peter Butler said, ” The management of other teams may recruit senior players or not and it is their matter. But we have included senior players as I think our girls have to perform well. The senior players are also below under-20, according to age.”
Bangladesh are the defending champions of the SAFF Under-20 Women’s Championship. A total of seven players, who are the members in the Bangladesh Women’s Football squad, will play for SAFF Under-20 Championship. So, Bangladesh are the favourites in this competition.
Head Coach of Nepal Women’s Football team Yam Prasad Gurung said, ” There is no senior players in our team. He said, ” I have not included any senior players in our squad. The players will take preparation after playing this tournament and will be included in the Nepal National Women’s Football team. Nepal played a spectacular performance in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers recently. They lost to Uzbekistan by 4-2 goals in the tiebreaker. Thus they failed to qualify in the final round of Asian Cup. Nepal only expressed to become champions in the competition. Gurung also praised Bangladesh for their success in Asian Cup Women’s Qualifiers.
Head Coach of Sri Lanka Under-20 Football team Shirantha Kumara said, ” Bangladesh are the favourites and the title contenders of this competition.
Captain of Bhutan Under-20 Football team Tshendu Tshering Pelzom is not optimistic that they can achieve the title. They have come here for experience. Pelzom said, ” I have experience to play with Maria Manda of Bangladesh. She is a speedy footballer.”
It may be mentioned that a number of 10 female footballers are playing in the Bhutan Women’s Football League.
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