SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh’s women’s hockey team are set to embark on a historic journey today as they play their first-ever senior international match, opening their Asian Games Qualifiers campaign in Jakarta.

Having impressed at under-18 and under-21 levels last year, the senior side will now step onto the international stage for the first time when they face Chinese Taipei in Pool A. The match is scheduled to begin at 4:10 pm Bangladesh time.

Apart from Bangladesh and Taipei, Pool A includes Hong Kong and Uzbekistan, while Pool B features Singapore, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and hosts Indonesia. The four semifinalists will qualify for September’s Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Head coach Zahid Hossain Raju said the team is prepared for the challenge, while acknowledging the step up required at senior level.

“This is the toughest match of the group, Chinese Taipei are a difficult opposition,” Raju told The Daily Star over the phone from Jakarta yesterday. He added that Bangladesh won a 20-minute practice match against Indonesia 2-0 on Tuesday.

Raju admitted the lack of competitive preparation could be a concern. “We haven’t played any practice game, which is an issue,” he said. “The other thing is, these players played matches at junior level, but senior level is very different.”