Bangladesh to play Iraq today

Bangladesh will play Iraq today (Monday) in the opening Group A match of the AFC U-16 Championship qualifiers 2012 at the Duhok Stadium in boarder town of Iraq. The match kicks off at 5:30 pm (Bangladesh time). Bangladesh was placed in five-team Group A of the AFC junior meet along with Palestine, Iran, Qatar and hosts Iraq. Bangladesh will play their 2nd match against Palestine on September 16, the 3rd against Iran on Sept 18 and the 4th against Qatar on Sept 20. A 25-member Bangladesh U-16 football team, comprising 20 players and five officials, led by Mohammad Emon, left Dhaka Friday night for Istanbul enroute to Iraq in Turkish plane. Mohammad Sabbir has been made the vice captain of the team. President of Feni District Football Association Abdul Rakib is accompanying the team as head of delegation. On the eve of the departure for Iraq, Bangladesh captain-cum-stopper Mohammad Emon from Narayanganj district voiced high hopes to have a good result in the ensuing AFC U-16 championship. "Our team is well balanced, we made 25 days of intensive training for the meet, and we'll play for wins against Palestine, Qatar and Iran, and try to make a draw with hosts Iraq," Emon said. Football team looks for at least one win against Palestine in the qualifying round of the five-team Group A of the AFC Under-16 Championship. Talking to UNB, Manager of Bangladesh U-16 team and former national medio Iqbal Hossain said, "We're looking for at least one win against Palestine, and will try our best to play good games against stronger Iraq, Iran and Qatar." Bangladesh U-16 squad: M Zahidul Islam Kiron, Adib Anik, Mohammad Emon (captain), Shushil Chandra Shil, Mohammad Sujon, Mohammad Sabbir (vice-captain), Rohit Sarker, Swapon Hossain, Didarul Alam, Mohammad Rajon, Mohaiminul Islam Meshu, M Ripon Sheikh, Al-Amin, Bijoy Kumar Sarkar, Mohammad Hossain Sujan, Mohammad Jewel, Obaid Hossain Shuvo, Monjurur Rahman, Faisal Ahmed and Akash Kumar Saha.