The SAFF U-17 Women’s Football Tournament begins today (Wednesday) in Thimphu, Bhutan, with the opening match seeing Bangladesh face the hosts Bhutan. The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:00 pm Bangladesh time.
Tournament Format
| Details | Information |
| Number of Teams | 4 |
| Match Format | Each team plays against every other team twice |
| Determining Champion | Team with highest points at the end of the tournament |
Captain Arpita Biswas shared at a press conference: “Our team was formed just one and a half months ago. Everyone has trained hard. We will try to play well in each match and learn from every game to improve in the next.”
Head Coach Mahbubur Rahman Litu added: “We have been practising regularly for the past two months. The girls are improving day by day. Both the U-15 and U-17 levels are important for learning, and the players will gain valuable experience here.”
He further commented: “Bangladesh women’s football is gradually progressing. This team has many opportunities to learn. Our attacking strength is our advantage, and we have maintained last season’s setup. We hope the girls perform well.”
Currently, 15 Bangladeshi players are participating in the Bhutan league. Litu highlighted: “It is a matter of pride that, for the first time, 10–12 of our players are playing together in Bhutan. They are performing well and scoring goals. This experience will be invaluable for future Asian Cup campaigns.”
On the other hand, Bhutan’s coach Lobzang Dorji emphasised the advantage of playing at home: “The support of our fans always gives the team extra motivation. We always play well on our home ground.”
The tournament promises to be competitive, with each match providing both teams a platform to showcase talent and gain international experience.
