Rajshahi Stars FC are targeting a place in the finals of the AFC Women's Champions League as they prepare for their first major challenge beyond the country's borders.
National-player-studded Rajshahi, who have left for Malaysia this morning, have been drawn with India's East Bengal FC, Malaysia's Sabah FC and Guam's Rovers FC. The six group winners will join six automatic qualifiers in the 12-team final round.
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Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Having won the Women's Football League in their debut season to qualify for the third edition of the AFC Women's Champions League, Rajshahi have strengthened their squad with 11 new players, including national team captain Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Shamsunnahar Jr, Tohura Khatun, Mst Sultana and Surovi Afrin, taking the number of national players to 18. They have also signed Nepal national team defender BK Bimala.
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Nepal international Bimala BK. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Captain Sheuli Azim said the new additions had strengthened Rajshahi Stars and that they would aim to produce something better. However, they could not bring back Ritu Porna Chakma due to difficulties securing her International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from the Myanmar Women's Football League.
Experienced coach Golam Rabbani Choton, who previously groomed many of these players from a young age, could prove another advantage as Rajshahi pursue a place in the finals.
“It has been a historic moment for Rajshahi Stars to take part in the AFC Women's Champions League, but we don't want to dwell on participation alone; rather, we want to give our best to qualify for the final round in a bid to uplift the country's image,” Rajshahi Stars president Moksedul Kamal said at a press conference at BFF House yesterday.
Choton stopped short of setting qualification as a target but promised a competitive campaign.
“It has been a historic chapter that Rajshahi Stars are making their debut on a big stage like the AFC Women's Champions League, but our girls have already played on a bigger stage like the AFC Women's Asia Cup, where they fought bravely against China, North Korea and others,” he said.
“Every opponent in the group is a strong one, but I believe our girls will offer competitive performances if they can play their natural game. I think if the girls believe in themselves and play as a unit, it is possible to emerge as group champions.”
Choton guided many of these players to the 2022 SAFF Women's Championship title and has since been away from the national women's team, while the players have gone on to play under English coach Peter Butler.
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Bangladesh midfield mainstay Monika Chakma. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
“When I guided this group of girls, they performed with speed and skill, but four years later, they are more mature and complete footballers,” Choton said. “I will go match by match and devise different game strategies after assessing the playing style of the opponents.”
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Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Aug 17 - East Bengal FC vs Rajshahi Stars
Aug 20 - Rajshahi Stars vs Sabah FC
Aug 23 - Rovers FC vs Rajshahi Stars
