Bangladesh eye SAFF U-17 title

Bangladesh have set their sights on reclaiming the title at the regional youth championship as they depart for Sri Lanka today to participate in the SAFF Under-17 Championship, scheduled to begin on September 15 at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo.

Bangladesh previously won the SAFF U-16 Championship in 2015 and the SAFF U-15 Championship in 2018. However, they have remained without a trophy since, despite reaching the finals of the SAFF U-16 Championship and the SAFF U-17 Championship in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Coach Golam Rabbani Choton is optimistic about the current squad, which includes five under-19 players, including captain Nazmul Huda Faisal, who recently helped Bangladesh become runners-up in the SAFF Under-19 Championship in India. The squad also features 14 players from BKSP, who played three international matches in Japan last month.

"I believe the Bangladesh U-17 squad is stronger compared to last time due to the inclusion of five U-19 players, as well as 14 BKSP players who gained valuable experience during their matches in Japan in August," Choton said at a press conference at the BFF House yesterday.

"We aim to progress match by match and ultimately become champions. We've prepared thoroughly, taking lessons from our defeat in the SAFF U-19 Championship final against India," he added. Choton also noted that the team gained significant confidence after managing to take the final into a penalty shootout, despite initially trailing.

Captain Faisal, a BKSP student, has previously captained the Bangladesh U-17 team twice and the U-19 team once but has yet to secure a championship. This time, he is determined to change that.

"As captain, it's disappointing not to have won any trophies so far, but we're hopeful of achieving a good result in Sri Lanka. We've had intense preparations at the Jashore Shams-Ul-Huda Academy, and our focus will be on playing as a team," Faisal said.

Bangladesh have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Sri Lanka and Nepal. Group B comprises India, Pakistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.