Bangladesh will face Bhutan in the first semifinal of the 6th edition of SAFF Women's Championship slated to be held on Friday (Sep 16) at Dasharath Rangasala Stadium.
The match kicks off at 1.15 pm (BST), which will be followed by host Nepal and India in the second semifinal to be held at the same venue at 5.45 pm (BST).
All were well with Bangladesh eve football team so far as they won all three group phase matches to emerge as group champions and now the girls in red and green are focusing on the Bhutan match in order to secure the spot in the final.
Prior to the match against Bhutan, Bangladesh team's head coach Golam Robbani Choton talking to the pressmen today (Thursday) said: "We respect Bhutan because they have come in this stage by proving their worth ...... there is no question to take them (Bhutan) lightly ..... my girls will fight with all their effort to snatch victory against Bhutan."
"The girls are aware of their responsibility .... they (girls) are fully prepared, the way they played in the last three matches in the group matches, and a performance like this they will have to repeat to grab the victory against Bhutan," Chotan said while asked if he feels relax at this stage or not.
Choton informed that all the players are physically fit and well and prepared for Friday's semifinal match.
Bangladesh skipper Sabina Khatun also said they respect Bhutan because they deserved this respect. Bhutan already proved their worth in the competition but her girls would play their natural game and take to the field with a goal in mind. Asked if she has any personal target in the semifinal, the prolific striker said she would give her maximum effort and make the best use of it if she gets any opportunity in the match.
Replying to a question Sabina said she tries to use her experience in every match and there would be an aim to continue this spree in the coming matches.
Bangladesh earlier blanked the Maldives by 3-0 in their group opening match and thrashed Pakistan 6-0 in their second match and defeated defending champions India by 3-0 goals in their third and last group match.
While Bhutan suffered a 0-4 goal defeat to Nepal in their group opening match but bounced back to register an overwhelming 5-0 victory over Sri Lanka in their second match of the tournament.
Bangladesh women's team: Rupna Chakma, Etie Rani, Sathi Biswas, Masura Parvin, Mossammat Akhi Khatun, Shamsunnahar, Sheuli Azim, Nilufa Yesmin Nila, Anai Mogini, Maria Manda (vice-captain), Monika Chakma, Shamsunnahar, Sohagi Kisku, Sapna Rani, Ritu Porna Chakma, Sanjida Akhter, Marzia, Sabina Khatun (captain), Srimoti Krishnarani Sarkar, Mosammat Sirat Jahan Shopna, Tohura Khatun, Anuching Mogini and Sajeda Khatun.
BDST: 1945 HRS, SEP 15, 2022
MSK/SMS
