Rajshahi Stars FC, the current champions of the national women’s football league, are standing on the cusp of a new chapter in Bangladesh’s football history. The team has officially commenced their preparations to represent the nation in the AFC Women’s Champions League, marking their debut in this prestigious continental club competition.
Ahead of their participation in the preliminary stage of the tournament in Malaysia, the squad held their first training session on home soil this past Saturday. Despite rainy conditions throughout the morning, the players completed a rigorous two-hour practice session at the Bir Sherestha Shaheed Sepoy Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur, signaling their readiness for the upcoming challenge.
Head coach Golam Rabbani Choton emphasized that while the roster features several experienced national team stars, he is prioritizing collective team performance over individual brilliance. Despite the challenging weather, Choton expressed satisfaction with the players’ physical and tactical conditioning. His primary objective is to showcase the team’s capabilities on the highest stage of Asian club football while striving to make history for the country.
National team defender Shiuli Azim, who led the team from the front during the most recent league season, stated that the squad is fully prepared to deliver their best performance on this grand stage. The defender remains determined to make their representation of Bangladesh in this tournament a memorable one.
The preliminary stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League is scheduled to take place in Malaysia from August 17 to 23. Competing in Group A, the Bangladeshi champions are set to face India’s East Bengal, the host nation’s Sabah FA, and Rovers FC from Guam. As they prepare to depart, the team is focused on refining their strategies to ensure they are fully equipped to compete against top-tier Asian opposition and leave a lasting mark on the international stage.
