Bangladesh prepared for India challenge

Spirited Bangladesh U-17 National Football looking forward to maintain their supremacy as they face defending champions India in the final match of SAFF U-17 Championship scheduled to be held at Racecourse ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Saturday.

The match kicks off at 6.30 pm Bangladesh time.

 Both Bangladesh and India maintained their all win run in the tournament. They beat Nepal and Sri Lanka by an identical margin of 4-0 goals to emerge group A champions. The boys in red and green confirmed their spot of final defeating Pakistan by 2-0 goals in the first semifinal.

India on the other hand, thread Maldives 6-0 goals in their group opening match, beat Bhutan by 1-0 goal and defeated Pakistan by 3-2 goals.

Bangladesh National U-17 Football Team Head Coach Golam Robbani Choton said the boys are excited and motivated and they are fully prepared to play against strong India in the SAFF U-17 Championship.

He said the boys have taken a very good preparation and if they are able to remain united and give their best in the final, there will be a big opportunity for the team to win the SAFF title.

Commenting about India, Choton said India is always a formidable opponent in the youth level and also physically strong, but he suggested his boys to remain united and play as per the plan to get the result.

Team captain Nazmul Huda Faisal said: "We have reached the final after performing well in the group stage as well as in the semifinal ... We are very much grateful to the supports the way they have been supporting us throughout the tournament ... we must play the final to fulfill our supporters' expectation." The Bangladesh captain also seek more support from the nation in the final so that they can achieve the target and be able to fulfill the expectation.

The defending champions reached the final after beating Nepal by 3-0 goals in the second semifinal match.
On the other hand, Pakistan beat Bhutan 4-0 goals in their group opening match, defeated Maldives 5-2 goals in their second match but lost to defending champions India by 3-2 goals in their last match of the group to finish group B runners-up.

Bangladesh U-17 football team:
Alif Rahman Imtiaz, Tasin Saheb, Chandro Saha, Ikramul Islam, Azam Khan, Md Raj, Sabbir Islam, Shadat Hossain, Tarek Hossain, Ishan Habib Riduan, Kamal Merdha, Namul Huda Faisal (captain), Md Manik, Rifat Kazi, Ashik, Opu Rahman, Ruhul Amin Akash, Akash Ahmed, Mohin Ahmmed, Md Arif, Bayzit Bostami, Mahin Miah Sojib and Akash Ahammad.