Sabina Khatun, the skipper of the Bangladesh women’s football team, expressed excitement Sunday on playing against the former World Cup and Asian Games champions, Japan, in their opening fixture of the Asian Games 2023.
The tournament is set to kick off in Hangzhou, China, next week.
The football events however, begin earlier as the Bangladesh women’s team face the two-time Asian Games gold medalists and 2011 World Cup champions, Japan, Friday, a day before the official inauguration of Asia's biggest sports extravaganza.
Sabina, accompanied by head coach Saiful Bari Titu and vice-captain Maria Manda, spoke during a press conference held at Bangladesh Football Federation House before their departure to China Monday night.
"Personally, I'm very excited about the Japan match because they are one of the top teams in the world, and I also supported them during the Women's World Cup. Besides, it will be a huge experience for us," said Sabina.
Bangladesh will have to compete against another World Cup-playing nation, Vietnam, next Monday before concluding their group stage campaign against familiar foes, Nepal, three days later.
They defeated Nepal to clinch their maiden SAFF Championship title a year ago.
Since then, head coach Golam Rabbani Choton and technical director Paul Thomas Smalley quit their positions, along with the departure of two national players, Akhi Khatun and Sirat Jahan Shopna.
Sabina and her teammates played only a couple of international matches this year, against Nepal at home, and both ended in draws.
However, they have no playing experience against Japan and Vietnam.
"Playing against Japan and Vietnam will be a new experience that could help us progress further. It will make the players more passionate to perform better," said Sabina in response to a query.
Maria also expressed desire to learn from these big encounters and give their best.
All three of Bangladesh's group opponents are ranked ahead of them in the latest FIFA rankings, but everyone, including Titu, wants to secure three points against Nepal.
Titu, who participated in the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing as a player, stated that beating Nepal is their main target, and the matches against Japan and Vietnam will be valuable learning experiences.
"It will be the first time the Bangladesh football team play against a world champion. It will be a unique experience and a test for us to assess our level," said Titu.
Women’s wing committee chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron also spoke on the occasion, emphasizing the importance of gaining experience from the tough fixtures in Bangladesh women’s football team’s debut participation at the Asian Games.
