Bangladesh coach Peter Butler on Monday announced a 23-member squad with the blend of youth and experience for the forthcoming SAFF Women鈥檚 Championship to be held at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal, from October 17 to 30.
Bangladesh, who are in Group A of the competition, will leave for Nepal today and will begin their title defence against Pakistan on October 20 before they face India in their second and final group game on October 23.
Bangladesh witnessed the euphoria of jogo bonito when women鈥檚 team tasted their maiden title in 2022 under Golam Rabbani Choton鈥檚 tutelage.
Choton will be missed this time, along with goalkeepers Etie Rani and Sathi Biswas, defenders Akhi Khatun and Anai Mogini, midfielders Sohagi Kisku, and strikers Marzia, Sirat Jahan Shopna, Anuching Mogini, and Sajeda Khatun.
Their departure paved the way for talented players such as Afeida Khandakar, Matsushima Sumaya, Airin Khatun, Kohati Kishku, Munki Akhter, Shaheda Akter Ripa, Mosammat Yearzan, Mile Akter, and Mosammat Sagorika.
鈥業t鈥檚 not easy to pick 23 players when you have had such a really competitive group of girls,鈥� Butler said at the pre-tour press conference at the Bangladesh Football Federation on Monday.
鈥業 am looking forward to the tournament because we have some very exciting young players and we have some vastly experienced players like Sabina and Maria.鈥�
Expecting a more competitive tournament this time than the previous edition, Bangladesh鈥檚 veteran forward and captain Sabina Khatun wanted to look forward to defending the title.
鈥業ndia and Nepal will be coming to the tournament with better preparation... We will also look to defend the title with the mixture of young and experienced squad we have. We will focus on our natural game and will progress match by match to reach the final,鈥� said Sabina.
The tournament opener between India and Pakistan will take place on October 17, a day before Group B match-ups between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, as well as hosts Nepal and Bhutan.
Nepal, a five-time finalist, will play their other matches against Maldives and Sri Lanka on October 21 and 24 respectively.
Bhutan will play Sri Lanka and Maldives in their other two matches on October 21 and 24 respectively.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on October 27, while the final will be held on October 30.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Rupna Chakma, Mst Yearzan, Mile Akter; Defenders: Masura Parvin, Afeida Khandakar, Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar (sr), Nilufa Yasmin Nila, Kohati Kisku; Midfielders: Airin Khatun, Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Sapna Rani, Munki Akhter; Forwards: Sabina Khatun (captain), Krishnarani Sarkar, Sanjida Akhter, Ritu Porna Chakma, Tohura Khatun, Shaheda Akter Ripa, Shamsunnahar (jr), Sagorika, Matsushima Sumaya.