Bangladesh U-17 national football team. File photo

DHAKA, Sept 18, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh U-17 national football team will start their SAFF U-17 Championship campaign when they meet Nepal in their opening group match scheduled to be held at the Racecourse Ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka, today (Thursday) evening.

The match kicks off at 7:30 pm Bangladesh time.

Prior to the match, on Wednesday, Bangladesh team captain Nazmul Huda Faisal said Nepal are always a tough opponent, but they are prepared to give their hundred percent in the match.

He also expressed his satisfaction over the team's preparation during the last four training sessions in Colombo.

Nepal, on the other hand, already won their tournament opening match, beating host Sri Lanka 2-0, and a win against Bangladesh will take them to the top of the group table.

Seven South Asian nations - Bangladesh, defending champions India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and host Sri Lanka - split into two groups, are competing in the regional tournament.

Bangladesh will play their final group match against Sri Lanka on September 21.

The top two teams from each group will play the cross semi-finals on September 25, while the final of the championship is slated for September 27.

Bangladesh U-17 football team members are: Alif Rahman Imtiaz, Tasin Saheb, Chandro Saha, Ikramul Islam, Azam Khan, Md Raj, Sabbir Islam, Shadat Hossain, Tarek Hossain, Ishan Habib Riduan, Kamal Merdha, Nazmul Huda Faisal (captain), Md Manik, Rifat Kazi, Ashik, Opu Rahman, Ruhul Amin Akash, Akash Ahmed, Mohin Ahmmed, Md Arif, Bayzit Bostami, Mahin Miah Sojib, and Akash Ahammad.