Rajshahi Stars Ready to Make History in Asian Debut

Bangla Press Desk:  Bangladesh’s domestic football is preparing for a landmark moment, and Rajshahi Stars FC are leaving nothing to chance.

Set to become the first Bangladeshi club to feature in the prestigious AFC Women's Champions League, the reigning domestic champions are rapidly building a formidable squad and have brought in a highly experienced new manager to guide their campaign. 

Ahead of the preliminary group stage in Malaysia this August, the debutants are making major moves to ensure that they are ready for their continental challenge.

To handle the intensity of Asian club football, Rajshahi Stars have signed an incredible 15 players from the Bangladesh national team.

Key additions to the squad include national team captain Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Rupna Chakma, Sheuli Azim, Sauravi Akanda Prity, Afeida Khandaker, Tohura Khatun, Alpi Akter, as well as Shamsunnahar and Shamsunnahar Junior. 

Alongside a wealth of local talent, the club's management has confirmed that they are actively looking to recruit foreign players to strengthen the squad further before the tournament begins.

However, star forward Ritu Porna Chakma will miss the preliminary round.

She is currently playing abroad for Myanmar's Ayeyawady United and will only return to the national set-up in late August ahead of the Asian Games.

To manage this star-studded roster, Rajshahi Stars have appointed veteran coach Golam Rabbani Choton. 

Currently contracted with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), Choton has been granted a special 10-day leave by the federation specifically to lead the club in this Asian Football Confederation tournament.

Once the preliminary round concludes, he will return to his regular duties with the BFF Under-17 women's squad.

Rajshahi Stars face a steep learning curve in a winner-takes-all group format, where only the top team will advance to the main tournament.

They will travel to Malaysia to face some heavily decorated regional opponents in Group A. 

The host club, Sabah, boasts serious pedigree, having won the Malaysian women's national league twice and domestic cup tournaments 11 times.

A massive test also awaits against East Bengal, the reigning back-to-back champions of the Indian Women's League, while Guam's Rovers FC arrive as six-time domestic league winners.

The Bangladeshi champions will open their campaign against India's East Bengal on 17 August, before taking on host side Sabah on 20 August.

They will complete their group fixtures against Rovers FC on 23 August.

With a new coach at the helm and a squad packed with international experience, Rajshahi Stars have given themselves the best possible chance to succeed.

However, with zero margin for error in this tight group stage, they must hit the ground running from the very first whistle.