The stage is set for a blockbuster ending as Bangladesh girls will lock horns against arch-rivals India in the final match of the Saff U-19 Women's Championship today (Wednesday).
The match will kick off at 6:00 pm at Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city's Kamalapur.
Representatives of the red and green will try to keep the trophy at home after reaching the final following a thumping victory over Sri Lanka.
“Our initial goal was to entertain the local crowds. I thank the girls and I hope for fulfilling the initial target,” said Golam Robbani Choton, head coach of Bangladesh women’s football team, while addressing at a pre-final press conference held on Tuesday.
“I hope that they will carry out the momentum by showing better performance in Wednesday's final against India."
Maria Manda, captain of team Bangladesh, is also confident about putting up a good show.
“We are ready to play the final and rectify any mistakes we made in the group stage. We will go out to win the match."
Although Bangladesh lifted the now obsolete SAFF U-18 Women's Championship title two years ago, the team is cautious about their arch-rivals India who rained on their parades in two of their three finals appearances in the SAFF U-15 Women's Championships from 2017 to 2019.
Road to final
Bangladesh had a slow start in the tournament, held by Nepal to a goalless draw. However, the red and green side were ruthless in their next outing, thrashing Bhutan 6-0 as Tohura and Ripa both scored braces.
Owing to a solitary goal of Shamsunnahar in the first half, Bangladesh defeated India in their next group stage match, which might give a slight edge to them in tonight's final.
Bangladesh demolished Sri Lanka 12-0 in their last group stage encounter as Saheda and Afeida both scored hat-tricks in the contest.
Meanwhile, India thrashed Sri Lanka by 5-0 goals in their opening match, defeated Bhutan by 3-0 goals, but lost to host Bangladesh by a solitary goal in their third.
India secured a spot in the final by defeating Nepal 1-0 in a must-win game.
Probable Lineups: The Bangladesh U19 Women’s team have all the reasons in the world to field the same starting XI that defeated Sri Lanka by a scoreline of 12-0.
Predicted Starting XI (Bangladesh):
Rupna Chakma (GK), Anai Mogini (RB), Akhi Khatun (CB), Nilufa Yesmin Nila (CB), Shamsunnahar Sr. (LB), Monika Chakma (CM), Maria Manda (CM), Marzia (RW), Ritu Porna Chakma (LW), Tohura Khatun (FW), Shamsunnahar Jr. (FW)