Russia women's youth football team arrived in Dhaka Saturday morning to take part in the Saff U-17 Women's Championship 2023 which kicks off at Birshrestha Shaheed Sepahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium Monday.
This is the first time an European country will be participating in the regional competition usually competed by the South Asian nations.
Five teams will be vying for the tournament title with the other nations being India, Nepal, Bhutan and hosts Bangladesh.
Fifa and Uefa, in February last year, suspended all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, from participation in both Fifa and Uefa competitions.
South Asian Football Federation general secretary Anwarul Haq Helal said Russia's name as participant was proposed by Uefa and approved by both Fifa and AFC.
“This Saff tournament is funded by Uefa Assist [A Uefa wing]. It's in the agreement that they would send a European team to participate. They picked Russia. They asked us if we had any problem; we said, no. We also took permission from Fifa and AFC,” said Helal.
Women's wing committee chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron, who is a Fifa and AFC executive committee member, also said there is no restriction from Fifa or AFC against Russia playing in the meet.
Bangladesh thrilled
Usually in the Saff women's competitions, Bangladesh and India have always been favorites but this time Russia will be the hot favorites, admitted Bangladesh head coach Golam Rabbani Choton.
“They [Russia] are 26th in the Fifa rankings. They are definitely favorites. All the girls are excited. They are also prepared to give Russia a good fight,” said Choton during a press conference at Bangladesh Football Federation House.
“It's an opportunity for the girls to play with a strong European side. They can learn from them. We will also know the difference in standard between Saff and Uefa.”
Bangladesh U-17 team captain Ruma Akter said they are eager to face Russia this Wednesday which would be their first clash against a European team.
“Russia is an European side and there is lot to learn from them. Any team can win in a football match and we will try our best to win. But now, we are thinking of Bhutan first,” said defender Ruma.
Bangladesh will open their campaign against Bhutan Monday before taking on Russia two days later.
Five teams will lock horns with each other once before the highest points holder are crowned the champions.
