Junior tigers trust their game plan for Wales opener

Bangladesh’s under-15 football team are ready to make their mark on the global stage as they kick off their historic FIFA U-15 World Cup campaign against Wales in Baku on Saturday.

For the first time, FIFA is hosting a World Cup alongside its traditional youth festival, opening the doors for all member nations to take part. A staggering 189 countries have answered the call, turning the Azerbaijani capital into a massive football hub with organisers planning to stage around 1,000 matches.

The action will unfold at the Hovsan Competition Complex and Crystal Hall, where the infrastructure is set up to host 20 games simultaneously.

Matches will be fast and intense. The tournament features an eight-a-side format played on smaller pitches, with games lasting just 40 minutes, split into two 20-minute halves.

Drawn in Group G, Bangladesh face a busy schedule from Saturday until the group stages wrap up on 26 October. The Junior Tigers will battle it out against Fiji, Burundi, Indonesia, Portugal, and their opening rivals, Wales.

Following the group phase, the remaining teams will be divided into six tiers. The side that finishes top of Tier A will be crowned the first-ever FIFA U-15 World Cup champions.

Bangladesh have settled in well, completing two full practice sessions since arriving in Baku. They will take to the pitch for their opener at 11:00 am Bangladesh time on Saturday.

Head coach Akbar Hossain Ridon said his players are raring to go, even if they are stepping into the unknown against European opposition.

"Tomorrow is our first match. The opponent is the European team Wales, and our boys are ready," Ridon said in a video message provided by the football federation.

With little scouting material available, the coach confirmed the team will focus entirely on their own strengths.

"Since it is a European team, we don't have much information about them. We are relying on our own game plan," Ridon explained. "Depending on tomorrow's match, we will understand their intention and capability. Then we will set our next plan. I hope the boys will not disappoint and will put on a good performance, Inshallah."