PHOTO: BFF

SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh will take on India in their first match of the SAFF Under-19 Championship in Kathmandu, Nepal today, with the match scheduled to kick off at 1:45pm.

Bangladesh have participated in all four editions of the event, but failed to win any of those occasions, despite making the final the last three times, and it remains the only SAFF trophy missing from Bangladesh’s cabinet.

Bangladesh will play their first match against defending champions India on the opening day and play against Bhutan, the other team in Group B, two days later.

“The first match against India is obviously a very tough match. All of our focus is on that match. If we can win the match, we will clearly be in the semifinals. Even if we draw that game, we will have an advantage,” Bangladesh coach Rashed Ahmed Pappu had said before leaving for Nepal.

Bangladesh will play against Bhutan in their second match of Group B on September 23 while Group A features Nepal, Pakistan and Maldives. The top two teams from each group will play the semifinals and the final will be held on September 30.

A Bangladesh player tries to win the ball from two Vietnam players during their first match of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Hanoi yesterday. Bangladesh lost the match 2-0 after Australia thrashed Philippines 6-2 in the first match of Group B. Two teams each from the two groups will qualify for the final round of the competition to be held in Indonesia next year.