DHAKA, May 7, 2025 (BSS)- Bangladesh U-19 national football team, now touring in India to take part in the SAFFU-19 Championship, hold their first training session this (Wednesday) afternoon at the R.G. Stadium in Naharlagun.

The training session focused on light recovery, ball work, and tactical drills as the players began their on-field preparations with high spirit and determination, according to a message received here this afternoon.

Earlier, on Tuesday last, Bangladesh reached the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India safely to take part in the 7th edition of the     SAFF U-19 Championship which will be held from May 9-18.

Bangladesh youth football team coach Golam Rabbani Choton said if his boys are able to give their best in the tournament, it's possible to snatch a good result in the champions.

He said after a long journey the boys hold their first training session today and they were energetic during the training session.

Bangladesh is the defending champions, who won their maiden title by defeating Nepal 4-1 goals in the final last year.

Six South Asian nations, split into two groups, will participate in the championship.

Defending champions Bangladesh grouped with Maldives and Bhutan in Group A while group B consists Nepal, Sri Lank and host India the most successful team of the tournament winning SAFF U-19 championship crowns in 2019, 2022 and 2023.

Bangladesh will start their tournament campaign taking on Maldives on May 9 and play their last group match against Bhutan on May 11.

After the group phase matches, the top two teams from each group will play the cross semi-finals on May 16. The final of the tournament is slated for May 18.

All the matches will be played at Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia.  
 
Bangladesh U-19 squad: Ismail Hossain Mahin, Nahidul Islam, Raj Chowdury, Ashikur Rahman, Mithu Chowdhury, Sifat Sahariar, Abdul Riyad Fahim, Salah Uddin Sahed, Delwar, Sani Das, Abdul Kadir, Kamal Merdha, Nazmul Huda Faysal, Siam Omit, Ratul Hasan, Farzad Syed Aftab, Samuel Raksam, Mursed Ali, Joy Ahamed, Sree Sumon Soren, Manik, Rifat Kazi and Ashik.