Biratnagar: Bangladesh women’s team head coach Golam Rabbani Choton has stated that his team will relish the challenge of SAFF Championship as it is an opportunity for his relatively inexperienced side, at the senior level, to weigh itself out against more experienced and mature teams like India and Nepal.
Golam Rabbani Choton came up with the statement while speaking at the pre-match press conference along with coaches of all the other teams at Biratnagar, Nepal.
“We are excited to be here representing Bangladesh. We have been preparing to face Bhutan in our first game since returning from Myanmar. Our focus is to win our first game and achieve our target of getting to the semi-final,” said Choton.
“Nepal and India have that advantage of a mature experienced side at this level. They are strong and tough sides at this level. We are still developing and growing as a team as most of our players are U19 years of age, but we will relish the challenge,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh vice-captain Mishrat Jahan Moushumi said, “We are all excited to be here and playing in the SAFF Championship. We have been preparing with our first game in mind. Everyone is healthy and looking forward to the competition. We will do our country proud.”
Speaking at the press conference, India head coach Maymul Rocky said, “We came here for the Championship, excessively for fifth time. We have now some good new young player in our team from aged level tournament.”
Hari Khadka, head coach of Nepal, said, “Our team is now balanced team. Our team is mentally and physical ready for the Championship and we are the favorites in this tournament as the host nation. But we do respect India and Bangladesh as they are also very good teams.”
Bhutan head coach said, “We came here with good preparation and to gather experience from this senior Championship SAFF. In our group Nepal and Bangladesh are very strong team physically and tactically and experienced Team.”
Maldives head coach said, “All teams are well prepared. It will be a very competitive tournament. Our target is to reach the semi-final like the last SAFF Championship.”
Sri Lanka head coach said, “Our target is beat Maldives in our group matches and qualify in the semi-final. India and Maldives are experience and strong team.”
