Bangladesh Under-17 national football team will step onto the field in Colombo today with one clear ambition: to reclaim the SAFF Under-17 Championship crown. Their campaign begins against Nepal at the Racecourse Ground, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30 pm Bangladesh time.
The Red and Greens last lifted the SAFF U-17 trophy in 2018. Since then, the title has slipped from their grasp despite regular appearances. The closest they came was in the previous edition in Bhutan, where they reached the final but fell short, losing 2-0 to India. That heartbreak still lingers, yet the squad is determined to leave it behind and write a fresh chapter in Sri Lanka.
Head coach Golam Rabbani Choton, who has been with the squad through an intensive seven-week training camp, believes the team is fully prepared for the challenge. In a video message ahead of the opening match, Choton said, “The boys have worked very hard. They are ready for the tournament and excited to face Nepal. If they can stick to their discipline, hard work and confidence, I believe we can achieve our target of bringing the trophy home.”
The tournament, now in its 10th edition, began earlier this week in Colombo. Bangladesh are placed in Group A alongside hosts Sri Lanka and Nepal. In the group’s opening fixture, Nepal defeated Sri Lanka 2-0, a result that gives them extra confidence heading into today’s clash.
Choton admitted Nepal are a formidable opponent. “They are a strong side with some talented players. We watched their match and we know they will be tough. But I believe our boys, if they play with courage and self-belief, can deliver the performance needed to start this campaign on the right note,” he said.
Bangladesh travelled to Colombo last Saturday and have been acclimatising and training in Sri Lanka since. The players have gone through their final preparations and appear focused on the bigger mission: to end the title drought and bring the SAFF U-17 Championship back home.
