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Butler’s charges fly for Thailand with eyes on SAFF defence SQUAD Rupna, Mili, Swarna, Halima, Shiuli, Afeida (captain), Surma, Kohati, Suravi Akter, Shamsunnahar Sr, Unnati, Arpita, Momita, Maria, Monika, Ripa, Ritu Porna, Umehla, Sagorika, Tohura, Anika Rania, Prity, Shamsunnahar Jr DROPPED Sapna Rani, Munki Akter, Sinha Jahan, Alpi Akter, Airin Khatun, Most Sultana NEW FACES Arpita Biswas and Momita Khatun

STAR SPORTS DESK

Bangladesh head coach Peter Butler on Wednesday announced a 23-member final squad for the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship, set to be held in India from May 25. Two-time defending champions Bangladesh will undergo a 15-day preparation camp in Thailand, leaving for Bangkok today before flying to Goa on May 21.

The Bangladesh team will play two practice matches in Thailand – against top-tier club Kasem Bundit University FC on May 10 and second-tier outfit Bangkok Sports School on May 17.

Butler and his charges will begin their South Asian campaign against Maldives on May 28 before facing five-time champions and hosts India on May 31.

“Nabiran has an ACL injury. She wants to play, but she’s not 100 percent fit. Sapna and Munki had poor performances and were not performing at the desired level. Hopefully, one day they will realise that I’m doing them a favour. So they are being left out of the group. They’re not training with the group for valid reasons -- poor performance.”

Bangladesh coach Peter Butler

PHOTO:

FIROZ AHMED