Bangladesh face Bhutan in SAFF U-17 opener today

Bangladesh U-17 women's football team will begin their SAFF U-17 Women's Championship campaign on Wednesday when they take on host Bhutan in Thimphu.

The match kicks off at 6 pm Bangladesh Standard Time (BST) at the Changlimithang Stadium. Earlier at 3pm, India will face Nepal in the day's first fixture.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Thimphu on Tuesday, Bangladesh U-17 women's team head coach Mahbubur Rahman Litu said his players are improving every day and he expects a good performance in the tournament. He also hoped the girls would gain valuable experience from the competition.

Team skipper Arpita Biswas said they had worked hard in the one-and-a-half-month-long camp and will try to perform well in each match. She added that the players aim to learn from the tournament while giving their best on the field.

The four teams will face each other twice in a double round-robin format.

Bangladesh will play their second match against India on August 22, followed by Nepal on August 24 and 27, Bhutan on August 29 and India again on August 31. All matches will be held at the same venue.

Bangladesh U-17 squad:

Yearzan Begum, Meghla Rani Roy, Tania Akter Fomi, Arpita Biswas, Fatema Akter, Umma Kulsum, Arifa Akter, Mst. Almina, Mst. Resme Akther, Thuinuye Marma, Sauravi Akanda Prity, Kranuching Marma, Reya, Alpi Akter, Protima Rani Joba, Sorovi Rani, Mamoni Chakma, Ishita Tripura, Purnima Marma and Mst. Amena Khatun.