U-16s looking for a positive start

Bangladesh are looking to start their second successive AFC U-16 Women’s Championship campaign on a positive note when they take on hosts Thailand at the Chonburi Stadium today, with the match kicking off at 6:00pm Bangladesh time.

With the two other teams in Group A being Japan and Australia, both of whom are believed to be much stronger, the Bangladesh team management think a win in the first match is not unlikely, and one that might open a chance for them to move into the semifinals.

The team had eight days’ training in Thailand and played three practice matches there, winning two of those and drawing the other one. Before that they had trained for six months at home and played a few practice matches against the senior women’s team after clinching the final round berth following victory in the second round of qualifiers in Myanmar in March this year.

Team coach Golam Rabbani Choton said he was proud to see his side among the top eight teams in Asia for the second successive time.

“I am proud that we reached this stage for the second successive time. Last time we were new at this stage and there was a massive difference in quality among us and the others. But now, having played many big teams, we are confident and positive,” Choton told the media during the pre-tournament press conference yesterday.

“We know we will be competing against some of the top sides in Asia. Thailand are difficult opponents and are hosts, so a lot of things will be in their favour. But we are ready to take them on and hope to start things positively,” the coach added.

Bangladesh had qualified for this stage last time around directly after having won the first round of qualifiers in Dhaka in 2016, and hence they were up against the might of North Korea, Japan and Australia in the 2017 edition. Although they suffered a chastening defeat against North Korea, the team improved dramatically in the following two matches and gave Australia a run for their money in an ultimately lost cause.

Playing the second round of qualifiers this time though is expected to have bolstered their confidence. Maria Manda, the current captain of the team who was one of the 11 members of the 2017 squad, believes they can start the campaign with a positive result.

“We have had good training and played some good matches in Chonburi. So we want to start our campaign on a positive note by giving our 100 percent against Thailand,” said the midfielder.

Bangladesh will take on Japan on September 18 before playing against Australia three days later. Two teams from each group will move into the semifinals, with Group B featuring defending champions North Korea as well as South Korea, China and Vietnam.

The two finalists will qualify for next year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in India.