Sanjida's dream reflects that of millions

Bangladesh women's football team's midfielder Sanjida Akhter has urged for the countrymen to pray for the team ahead of tomorrow's SAFF Women's Championship final against Nepal.

Bangladesh have moved into the final of the regional competition for only the second time and will be taking on the hosts in Kathmandu, with the match kicking off at 5:15pm [BST].

Sanjida, who has been pretty impressive in her role of setting up goals for the strikers, posted a long message on her official Facebook page, touching on the long and arduous journey of women's football.

She said that it would be a dream come true for her team to claim their first SAFF title, 19 years after the country's men had won their first in SAFF Championship.

Sanjida, who comes from the famed Kalsindur village in Dhobaura, Mymensigh, recalled that this team has had to undergo a lot of struggle to come to this stage. She also reminded everyone that this team belongs to everyone and is made up of players from all corners of the country – from the plainlands of the south to the hills in the north and the Southeast.

"Those who are pensively waiting to embrace the dream, we want to win it (the SAFF championship) for those dreamers. We want to repay their unequivocal support. We are not thinking anything like a victory parade on a roof-top bus with a trophy in our hand; we want to win it for those who have helped us to touch the green grass (of a football turf) by shielding us from the social stigma (against women playing football)," the post stated.

Sanjida expressed her determination that every player of the squad will fight to the end to win the final battle against Nepal and hoped that a victory would pave the way to the birth of more Sabinas and Marias and Sanjidas.