Bangladesh women鈥檚 football team reached Bhutan on Monday with an aim of winning the two-match FIFA international series against the hosts scheduled to the played at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on July 24 and 27 respectively.
English coach Peter James Butler鈥檚 charges are playing these two games as part of their preparation for the forthcoming SAFF Women鈥檚 Championship to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from October 17 to 30.
Bangladesh, the reigning champions, beat hosts Nepal 3-1 in the final of the 2022 championship to win their maiden SAFF title.听听
With an aim to retain the title, Bangladesh, earlier, took part in a two-match friendly international series against an upper-ranked Chinese Taipei in Dhaka on May 31 and June 3 that they lost 4-0 and 1-0 respectively.
Though Bangladesh played defensive football against a stronger Chinese Taipei, Bangladesh captain Sabina Khatun promised to play an attacking brand of football against lower-ranked Bhutan.
鈥楢gainst Taipei, we played defensive football. But I think, we should play attacking football against Bhutan and should play for the series win,鈥� Sabina told the reporters before leaving the country on Monday.听听
Despite this Bhutan team is not as strong of any of their past teams, the veteran forward still believed that playing against them would be an ideal preparation for the upcoming competitions.听
鈥楤hutan are no longer a powerhouse in women鈥檚 football. But I believe this tour will freshen up us for the upcoming competitions. We need to play against a stronger team in the next FIFA window to prepare for the regional tournament [SAFF],鈥� she said.听
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Squad
Goalkeepers: Rupna Chakma, Yearzan Begum and Mile Akter; Defenders: Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar (Sr), Masura Parvin, Nilufa Yasmin Nila, Nasrin Akter, Kohati Kisku, Arpita Biswas; Midfielders: Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Ritu Porna Chakma, Sapna Rani, Munki Akhter, Halima Akhter, Bonna Khatun; Forwards: Sabina Khatun (captain) Sumaya Matsushima, Sanjida Akhter, Suravi Akanda Prity, Sagorika, Mosammat Sultana.