Bangladesh will play in the Women’s Asian Cup for the first time. They have 6 months. The BFF has also prepared a plan to prepare. Preparations for the Asian Cup will start from September 15. This was stated by Mahfuza Akhter Kiran, head of the women’s wing, at the BFF building today.
The girls want to play at least 6 matches before going to Australia in March. The BFF has finalized two friendly matches against Thailand in October for Rituparna-Afiidad. The two matches in Thailand will be held on October 25 and 28.
After the vacation, women’s team coach Peter Butler will return in September. Kiran told the media, “We will start the camp from mid-September. Peter Butler will come in mid-September, he will actually start the camp from 15-16. The senior and under-20 teams will be together. The camp will not be held at the BFF building, it may be at a hotel or resort. That will be announced later.”
The girls will go to Japan after playing the match against Thailand. Kiran also said, ‘The team will leave for Japan on October 30. It will return on November 20. We will have a squad of 40 there. We will also take some players from the U-20 team with us. We have sent a letter to Japan, but there is no confirmation yet. But it will come.’
The BFF is planning to organize a three-nation series with Azerbaijan and Vietnam in the November-December window. Besides, it wants to play against New Zealand in February before going to the Asian Cup.
The Asian Cup in Australia will start on March 1. Bangladesh’s opponents in Group ‘B’ are the current champions China, North Korea and Uzbekistan. The BFF will not face any financial hurdles while completing its preparations. Kiran said, ‘The president said that money is not a problem. I hope there will be no financial problems.’
The BFF plans to start a domestic league in December to further emphasize the preparations. This time, Bashundhara will also play. Kiran said, ‘The league will start on December 15. A few new teams will come. This year’s league will be very competitive. I have submitted a letter for club licensing. I have spoken to Bashundhara’s Imrul Bhai. He said, ‘No problem, we will play.’
