'We’ll give our best irrespective of the outcome': Butler backs U-20 women ahead of historic Asian Cup campaign

The Bangladesh under-20 women’s football team will leave for Thailand on Saturday to take part in their maiden AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup.  

The team is scheduled to depart Dhaka at 9:20 am aboard a US-Bangla Airlines flight and is expected to arrive in Bangkok at 1:30 pm local time. The tournament will kick off on April 1. 

Ahead of the competition, head coach Peter Butler praised his players for their remarkable achievement, insisting they have already exceeded expectations. 

“Again the girls made history getting into the U-20 AFC Asian Cup. In my eyes they were champions of the nation. The senior national team got to the Asian Cup and again the under-20s surpassed everybody's expectations and qualified for the first time in their history,” Butler said in a video release on Friday.

“Whatever happens, in my eyes they’re all champions. I’m really proud of them. They’ve trained really well with whatever limited time we’ve had. We’re not stopping at the Renaissance Hotel eating steak and fine vegetables. We are ready. We’ll have a go. We’ll give our best irrespective of the outcome.” 

As part of their preparations, the team will travel early to Thailand to acclimatise to local conditions and continue regular training sessions. They are also scheduled to play two preparatory matches  against India on March 25 and Jordan on March 27. 

Bangladesh have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Thailand, China and Vietnam. They will begin their campaign against Thailand on April 1, before facing China on April 4 and Vietnam on April 7. 

A total of 12 teams are competing in the tournament, with eight sides advancing to the knockout stage.