Bangladesh Under-17 men’s football team will take on favorites India in the inaugural match of the SAFF U-17 Championship 2024 at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan Friday.
India won the last SAFF U-16 Championship 2023 approximately a year ago at the same venue after beating Bangladesh in the final.
Most of the players from that campaign are in the current U-17 squad.
Saiful Bari Titu is the head coach of Bangladesh U-17 team.
He said they want to put up a good show.
“We will try to show ourselves as strong contender. That is our main goal. We want to go step by step.” said the experienced coach at the pre-match press conference Thursday.
Titu added: “India are a strong opponent in the group. So, first match is very important for us.”
Skipper Nazmul Huda Foysal also captained the U-16 side that reached the final last year.
He admitted India are a tough opponent.
He also said they have prepared themselves to deal with the situation.
Bangladesh will face the Maldives in their second and last Group A fixture Sunday.
The top two finishers from the three-team group will progress to the semi-finals.