Bangladesh aiming at semis

Bangladesh are looking forward to reaching at least the semifinals of the SAFF Women’s Championship, which will kick off in Nepal on September 6, said the team members.

In a press conference at the Bangladesh Football Federation building on Thursday, the women’s team head coach Golam Rabbani and captain Sabina Akhter told the media that they aim to win the first two matches of the group stage to qualify for the last four.

The sixth edition of the SAFF Women’s Championship will take place in Kathmandu, Nepal, where seven teams from the SAARC countries are taking part.

In group A, five-time champions India are drawn with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Maldives. In group B, hosts Nepal are placed with Sri Lanka and Bhutan.

Group-stage matches will be run in a single league format, and the group’s top two teams will meet in the semi-finals.

Bangladesh will start their endeavour on September 7 against Maldives at the Dasharath Stadium. On September 10, Bangladesh will face Pakistan, and on September 13 Bangladesh will face mighty India in their last group match.

National women’s team footballers and the support staff will leave Dhaka on September 3.

Head coach Rabbani told the media that the preparation was not satisfactory as there was no friendly match against an international opponent.

“It would be great if we could play some international practice matches. Earlier, we played against Malaysia. We were in talks with UAE for a friendly match. It could be better if we can play against them,” he said in the press conference.

Earlier, Bangladesh showed glimpses of success in age-level competitions, but this is the senior tournament. Rabbani believes his girls are mature enough.

“We also had a difference of age at that time. That gap exists. Apart from Sabina, every member of this team played in the U-19. Those who went to Jamshedpur (SAFF U-18 tournament) were also young. Actually, our team is comprised of young age-level players, In the last few years they have played a number of international matches, and they have grown up physically and mentally as well,” Rabbani told the media.

With a young team and the least preparation, Rabbani is not showing big dreams.

“We got only six weeks after the fixture was announced. The girls have trained hard. In June, we played two matches against Malaysia, we have to do better than that. I think the girls are ready for the tournament. The first match is very important, I think we will start with a win,” said the head coach.

Captain Sabina Khatun also said that she is hopeful about better performance.

“SAFF is a big tournament for us. As a player and captain, I am very much hopeful. As a striker I am always hungry for goals, I will try to put my best for the country,” said the skipper on Thursday.