Bangladesh Under-20 national football team will begin their AFC Qualifying round with taking on Syria today at Lach Tray Stadium (Hai Phong), Vietnam.
Bangladesh were placed in Grup A along with Syria, Bhutan, Guam and the hosts Vietnam.
The men in Red and Green will play their second match on September 23 against Guam, will take on the hosts Vietnam on September 27 and will play their last match against Bhutan on September 29.
However, in a pre-match press conference on Friday in Vietnam, Bangladesh head coach Maruful Haque expressed bis expectation to qualify in the second round.
Maruful Haque, who made this Under-20 team chapions in the SAFF competition in last month is also optimistic with his sides.
Maruful, in the press meet inVietnam, said, “It is an opportunity for us to play in the top stage of the Asian age group competition.”
But Maruful, the first-ever South Asian to get a UEFA A license, conveyed his disappointments with short time preparations for this competition. “Actually, we are here with only two weeks preparations, but I am highly satisfied with the facilities here are provided by the hosts.”
“I think, here all are strong teams and looking forward to go ahead and we are also hopeful to qualify in the next round,” said Maruf.
Meanwhile, the mission to reach the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025, 45 teams divided into 10 groups will begin their campaign the qualifying round from today when all group winners, along with the five best-placed runners-up, will progress to the final tournament.
