Dhaka, February 14: The Bangladesh women’s team hopes to emulate its previous performances abroad. The senior team captain said the team has been training hard and pumped for action in Singapore, where they will play Malaysia and the hosts.
Also called the ‘goal machine’, skipper Sabina Khatun said, “This will be another chance for the younger players to test their skills in the international arena.”
Sabina’s deputy, vice captain Mainu Marma said the players are keen about the tournament. “We will give our best.”
Both the players expressed their gratitude to sponsors Walton, for being with them in this journey and thanked the Bangladesh Football Federation officials for arranging the tournament.
The senior national side, mostly powered by the national U16 girls’ team, finished the recent SAFF Women’s Championship as runners-up, thanks to the U16 girls who managed to secure a place in the AFC finals and performed admirably in another friendly tour in Japan’s Osaka.
Similar to the SAFF squad, this squad will also be dominated by U16 players with just four senior players in the strong 20-player squad that will take part in the Women’s Development Tournament in Singapore.
The tournament, which is a collaboration between the two countries, will be hosted by the Singapore Football Association, in an attempt to lift up women’s football.
This campaign will be part of the preparation for the U16 squad set to play in the AFC finals in September in Thailand, said BFF Women’s Committee chief, Mahfuza Akhter Kiron. “The girls have been going through rigorous training in residency camps and we have organised international friendly matches to prepare them even better.”
Kiron said this team would also visit South Korea and Thailand. “Such international friendly matches will continue. I hope the girls put up a great show.”
Walton’s Senior Additional Director FM Iqbal Bin Anwar Dawn thanked the football federation for the chance to sponsor the team. “We seek the blessings of our countrymen so that the team may do well in Singapore.”
He hoped that the team’s brilliant streak would carry on.
Women’s team assistant coach, Mahbubul Alam Litu, talked about the strategy and plan. “We have been practising hard.”
He noted that Singapore is ranked 98th and Malaysia 82nd in FIFA. “The competition will be tough.”
BFF’s head goalkeeping coach, Ryan Sandford said the tournament presents a fantastic opportunity for the girls. “They will be able to play against higher ranking teams in the tour and it will be good challenge for them.”
Sandford said the team’s preparation since
its return from Japan had been fantastic. Since four players are taking their
SSC exams, he said there would be some new faces.
Bangladesh is scheduled to play Singapore on Feb 16 and Malaysia on Feb 17. The team will return on Feb 19 after watching the hosts take on Malaysia on the Feb 18.
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