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DHAKA, Sept 17, 2023 (BSS)- Bangladesh Women's Football Team head coach

Saiful Bari Titu said their realistic target is to earn victory against Nepal
in the 19th South Asian Games scheduled to be held from September 23 to
October 8 in Hangzhou, China.

"We've a good training session in the last one and half month for the Asian
Games ... The fitness level and mental toughness of the girls is very good at
the moment ... Japan and Vietnam, the other two teams of the group, are much
superior teams than us, but our realistic target is to earn victory against
Nepal," he said at a team's pre-departure press conference held today
(Sunday) at the conference room of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).
 
The Bangladesh Women's Football Team, who are going to participate in the
Asian Games for the first time, leave for China tomorrow (Monday) to take
part in the mega event.

Titu considers the first two matches against Japan and Vietnam as vital. They
have nothing to lose anything because the two teams are different level. The
girls would get opportunity to verify their performance and would able to
understand the level.

Bangladesh's Skipper Sabina Khatun said: "We are going to participate in the
Asian Games for the first time and I'm very excited for that ... And at the
same time it'll be a big experience for me ... I'll try my level best to play
good football against Japan and Vietnam."

Team's Vice-captain Maria Manda said they would give their best effort
against Japan and Vietnam.

Bangladesh Women's Wing Committee's Chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron, who was
also present at the press conference, also hoped that the girls would play
competitive match and give their best effort to earn a good result.
 
Bangladesh, which ranked 142 in women's FIFA ranking, pitted in pool D along
with Japan (ranked 8), Vietnam (ranked 34) and Nepal (ranked 101).

Bangladesh will play their group opening match against Japan on September 22
and meet Vietnam on September 25 and play their last group match against
Nepal on September 28.

All the matches will be held on Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium.

Bangladesh Women's Football Team:

Rupna Chakma, athi Biswas, Swarna Rani Mandal, Nilifa Yasmin, Nila, Sheuli
Azim, Anai Mogini, Shamsunnahar (Sr.), Masura Parvin, Afeda Khandakar, Mst.
Surma Jannat, Maria Manda (vice captain), Ritu Porna Chakma, Shamsunnahar
(Jr.), Marzia, Sapna Rani, Monika Chakma, Sanjida Akter, Krishna Rani Sarkar,
Tohura Khatun, Sabina Khatun (captain), Shaheda Akter Ripa and Sumaya
Matsushima.