Sports Desk:

Defending champions Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in one of the opening day’s matches of the 6th edition of the four-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-20 Women’s Championship 2025, set to begin at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital tomorrow (Friday).

The match will kick off at 3pm, which to be followed by Nepal taking on Bhutan in another match of the opening day’s fixture to be held at the same venue at 7pm.

Four South Asian nations — Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and host Bangladesh — will take part in the 11-day meet on round robin league basis, organized by SAFF, under the auspices of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

Coming back from Myanmar after qualifying for the historic Asian Cup final stage, the girls in red and green are looking forward to keeping their winning streak in the tournament and retaining the title, which they jointly won with India in 2023 in Dhaka.

India’s withdrawal from the tournament altered the format and also boosted Bangladesh’s chances of retaining the crown. Bangladesh is the most successful team in the tournament winning four out of their five appearances.

The tournament format is slightly different from the previous edition, with each team playing one another, and the team with the highest points being crowned champion.

Bangladesh will play their remaining matches against Nepal on July 13, Bhutan on July 15 and 17, Sri Lanka again on July 19, and Nepal again on July 21.

BANGLADESH SQUAD: Swarna Rani Mandal, Nabiran Khatun, Mst Joynob Bibi Rita, Afeida Khandaker (captain), Mst Surma Jannat, Kanon Rani Bahadur, Sapna Rani, Mst Oeyshi Khatun, Sree Moti Trishna Rani, Mst Sagorika, Umehla Marma, Ayonto Bala Mahato, Rupa Akter, Mst Bonna Khatun, Most Munki Akhter, Kanom Akter, Mst Ruma Akter, Puja Das, Sinha Jahan Shikha, Shanti Mardi, Nadia Akter Juti, Mile Akter and Mst Fardosi Akter Shonale.