Bangladesh women's national football team skipped on-field training on Thursday as the coaching staff granted the players a full recovery day following their semifinal victory over Nepal in the SAFF Women's Championship.
The players underwent ice-bath sessions at the team hotel in the morning as part of the recovery programme. Later in the day, the squad was scheduled to attend a video analysis session and team meeting, where the coaching staff would review the previous match and discuss tactical plans ahead of the final.
Assistant coach Abul Hossain said both Bangladesh and India have an equal chance of lifting the trophy, describing the two finalists as strong teams.
"Both teams are capable of becoming champions. We are on a winning streak and must maintain our momentum in the final against India," he said in a video message.
Bangladesh booked their place in the final after defeating Nepal 2-1 in the semifinal on Wednesday. After falling behind early in the match, the defending champions fought back through goals from Ritu Porna Chakma and substitute Sagorika to secure a third consecutive appearance in the SAFF Women's Championship final.
The team management reported no major injury concerns following the Nepal match. Defender Monika Chakma sustained a minor knock during the semifinal and remains under observation, but the rest of the squad is understood to be fit for the title-deciding clash.
Bangladesh, champions in 2022 and 2024, are aiming to win a third successive SAFF Women's Championship crown. Standing in their way are hosts India, who will be looking to reclaim the regional title after missing out on the last two editions.
The team is scheduled to resume training on Friday at the Bambolim Athletic Stadium as preparations continue for the final, which will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Saturday.
The final will also provide Bangladesh with an opportunity to avenge their 3-0 defeat to India in the group stage and further underline their status as one of South Asia's leading women's football teams.
