Dhaka: Bangladesh U-17 national football team is set to depart for Sri Lanka tomorrow to participate in the 10th edition of the SAFF U-17 Championship, scheduled to take place in Colombo from September 15 to 27. The regional tournament will see seven South Asian nations, including Bangladesh, defending champions India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and host Sri Lanka, compete after being divided into two groups.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, at a pre-departure press conference held at the Bangladesh Football Federation’s conference room, Bangladesh U-17 national football team head coach Golam Robanni Choton expressed his commitment to giving their best in the tournament. He emphasized the focus on player development and performance, despite the tournament being the U-17 SAFF Championship. Choton also mentioned that the training camp, which started on July 25 in Jessore with thirty-four players, has prepared the team well for the competition.
Choton shared his insights on the participating teams and expressed confidence in the team’s capability to win the championship. Team captain Nazmul Huda Faisal echoed this sentiment, highlighting the successful training sessions in Jessore and expressing hope for a positive outcome in Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh has been placed in Group A alongside Nepal and Sri Lanka, while Group B consists of India, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Maldives. Bangladesh will kick off their campaign against Nepal on September 18 and will play their final group match against Sri Lanka on September 21. The top two teams from each group will advance to the cross semifinals on September 25, with the championship final slated for September 27. All matches will be played at the Racecourse ground in Colombo.
The Bangladesh U-17 football team comprises Alif Rahman Imtiaz, Tasin Saheb, Chandro Saha, Ikramul Islam, Azam Khan, Md Raj, Sabbir Islam, Shadat Hossain, Tarek Hossain, Ishan Habib Riduan, Kamal Merdha, Namul Huda Faisal (captain), Md Manik, Rifat Kazi, Ashik, Opu Rahman, Ruhul Amin Akash, Akash Ahmed, Mohin Ahmmed, Md Arif, Bayzit Bostami, Mahin Miah Sojib, and Akash Ahammad.