Bangladesh will be focusing on its own arsenal rather than the opponents’ strength in the AFC Women’s Asia Cup group ‘B’ Qualifiers, which is billed to kick off at the Bangabandhu National Stadium from tomorrow.
This plan was revealed by the team management during the team declaration ceremony at the BFF House yesterday. BFF declared a 22-member squad featuring a mixture of youth and experience to face the challenge of teams that are far ahead in rankings. Monika Chakma, member of the U-14 national side, is the youngest footballer to be named in the squad, while U-19 national players Tumpa Moni, Shajeda Khatun and Zhumu Akhter Shanu also made it into the squad. BFF initially started the camp one and a half months ago with 35 footballers, before finally trimming it to 22 members. The team played three practice matches in Kolkata a few weeks ago and won 6-0, 4-1 and drew 0-0. The good performance has boosted the confidence level of the team. “In the past tours we never won any matches, but now we have learnt to win. However, we have worked hard to achieve the best possible result. “In the rankings all the participant teams are far ahead of us, but in the last two months the players had gone through the tactical and technical aspects. After the tour of Kolkata the confidence levels among players are high. Let’s hope for playing a good brand of football,” said coach Syed Golam Jilani. Jilani was chosen to guide the team as he has a vast experience of working with almost all the recent foreign coaches of the men’s national team and he said he has tried to insert his knowledge. “I thought that the endurance and the fitness are fields I have to work with. Now I can confidently say that my team can play for full 90 minutes in the same rhythm. In the past we had some problems in this aspect,” said Jilani. Captain Suinu Pru Marma thought her team is in the best position in recent times. “We have been playing together for quite a few years and the preparation is satisfactory. We want to put a performance that would enhance the image of the country,” she said.Bangladesh squad
Sabina Akter, Muslima Akter Molly, Rowshan Ara (GK), Khaleda Khatun, Baly Khatun, Surovy Akter Eti, Asia Khatun Bithi, Trishna Chakma, Suinu Ching Marma, Tumpa Moni, Shajeda Khatun, Laboni Akter (Defender), Sharmin Akter Rupa, Maynu Marma, Mirona, Zhumu Akter Shanu, Nuby Ching Marma, Sui Nu Pru Marma, Monika Chakma (Midfielder). Sabina Khatun, Aung Mra Ching Marma and Munmun Akter (Forward)