First Match Is Always Crucial, Says Goalkeeping Coach Masud Ahmed

Masud Ahmed, the goalkeeping coach of the Bangladesh U-20 Women’s Football Team, has emphasised the critical importance of the opening match in the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers. Speaking from Vientiane, Laos, on Monday via a video message following a training session, Masud explained that a winning start would significantly enhance the team’s prospects of advancing to the next round.

“We are approaching the tournament one match at a time… The first match is always very important for us. We are focusing entirely on that, as a victory at the start will give us a much-needed boost towards the next stage,” said Masud.

Group H Composition and Match Schedule

Bangladesh has been placed in Group H alongside:

Bangladesh’s Group H Match Fixtures:

Tactical Preparations Underway

Coach Masud elaborated on the tactical approach being implemented during training.
“Our training on the second day focused on both defending and attacking. It was a productive session overall,” he noted.

He also pointed out that their strategy involves taking advantage of the fixture schedule. Since Bangladesh’s first match takes place after Laos and Timor-Leste have faced off, the team will be able to conduct a more detailed analysis of their opponents.

“Our target is to reach the final round of the tournament. Since our opponents will play before our first game, we’ll have the chance to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Let’s see how things unfold in the upcoming matches,” he added.

Looking Ahead

With high ambitions and focused preparations, the Bangladesh U-20 Women’s Team aims to make a strong impression in the qualifiers. A positive result against the host nation in the opening game will not only set the tone for the campaign but also strengthen their push towards the coveted final round.

The entire Group H stage will be hosted at the New Laos National Stadium in the capital city, Vientiane.