Thimphu: Bangladesh U-17 women’s football team is gearing up to face host Bhutan in a significant encounter of the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship, set to take place at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu today. The match is scheduled to start at 3 pm Bangladesh time. Following this clash, India will compete against Nepal in the second fixture of the day at 6 pm at the same venue.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Bangladesh team is currently positioned second in the league table, having accumulated nine points from four matches. In contrast, host Bhutan has yet to secure any points after an equal number of matches. India is leading the table with a perfect record, obtaining twelve points from their four outings. Nepal, on the other hand, is in third place with three points.
Bangladesh has had a mixed run in the tournament so far. They began with a promising 3-1 victory over Bhutan but faced a setback against India with a 2-0 loss. However, the team regained momentum by defeating Nepal twice, 3-0 a
nd 4-1, in their subsequent matches. Bhutan, meanwhile, has struggled throughout the tournament, losing all four of their matches, including a 3-1 defeat against Bangladesh, a 2-1 loss to Nepal, and two heavy defeats to India, 8-0 and 5-0, which have eliminated them from the competition.
The Bangladesh U-17 squad for this tournament includes Yearzan Begum, Meghla Rani Roy, Tania Akter Fomi, Arpita Biswas Arpita, Fatema Akter, Umma Kulsum, Arifa Akter, Mst Almina, Mst Resme Akther, Thuinuye Marma, Sauravi Akanda Prity, Kranuching Marma, Reya, Alpi Akter, Protima Rani Joba Rani, Sorovi Rani, Mamoni Chakma, Ishita Tripura, Purnima Marma, and Mst Amena Khatun.