SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh U-16 women’s football team aside, no women’s team could ever cross the hurdles of any AFC competitions’ qualifying round but the SAFF U-20 champion squad are dreaming high to get out of the qualifying stage of the upcoming AFC U-20 Women’s Asia Cup at home.

Bangladesh will host the fixtures of Group H, featuring Iran and Turkmenistan, from March 8 with eight group champions advancing to the second round.

Head coach Golam Rabbani Choton said his charges are “ready to take the challenge”.

“You all know that we resumed preparation on February 13, four days after clinching the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship. Shamsunnar Jr. and Aklima Khatun recovered from their injuries during this time,” Choton said during a presser at the BFF House yesterday.

“I am confident with this group of girls to get out of the qualifying round due to consistent performance since 2018 and their hard work,” he added.

Captain Shamsunnar said, “We have taken a fresh preparation for the AFC competition because our target is to go beyond the qualification round with two wins in two matches. Even though the opponents are physically superior, we are fitter than them.”