Bangladesh Under-15 women’s football team will leave for Thimpu today with aiming to retain the title of the SAFF age group title.

The reigning champions will begin their campaign with taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match on August 9.

Ahead of their departure for Bhutan Bangladesh coach and captain expressed their high hopes in a press conference yesterday at the Bangladesh football Federation (BFF) office.

Golam Rabbani Choton, head coach of the team, who has been looking after the team for a long and under him the women’s national team and age group team had some laudable success in the international level.

This time also Chotton has every believe on his pupils to keep up their success in the coming SAFF Under-15 Championship in Thimpu, capital of Bhutan.

Choton, replying to queries from the reporters remarking the team’s previous success and as the defending champions said, “We won the title last edition playing better game and expecting to maintain the same route.”

“We also have a success in Hong Kong early of this year when we emerged as the champions in a six-nation tournament, so the players highly boosted up their confidence and I have confidence on the girls to retain the title of the SAFF, said Choton.”

“Most of the players experienced playing this tournament last season only five players   are new in the squad.”  

Captain Maria Manda and her deputy, also one of the key performers Ankhi Khatun also looked confident when they expressing their expectation about to repeat their feat of previous year.

“We became champions of the first edition of this Championship in December last year and we are eager to present the nation the trophy again this year,” Ankhi Khatun recalling the momentum of last year.

 “We played previous time with confidence and this time we are also ready to be champions.”

About the opponents, they think tougher or main rivals, captain Maria said, “We will have to face every opponents with boldly and we will do the job with courage. Hopefully we will be champions.’

Meanwhile, the chairman of the BFF women’s wing Mahfuza Akhter Kiron also said that she has belief on the players and the federation will provide all the possible support to them.

Bhutan bound 23 players Bangladesh team- Mahmuda Akhter, Rupna Chakma and Rupa Akhter (Goalkeeper), Akhi Khatun, Anai Mogini, Nazma, Nilufa Yesmin Nila, Shamsunnahar and Ritu Porna Akhter (defenders), Mossammat Ilamoni, Shaheda Akhter Ripa, Anuching Moguni, Mossammat Laboni Akhter, Sajeda Khatun, Rojina Akhter and Nouson Jahan (forwards), Rehana Akhter, Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Tohura Khatun, Munni Akhter, Shamsunnahar and Sohai Kisku (midfielders).