Russian supporters cheer for Bangladesh in quiet SAFF opener

Ahead of their SAFF Women’s Championship opener against Maldives at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, the women in red and green walked off the pitch after completing their warm-up session with smiles on their faces and applause ringing around the sparsely populated arena.

Adding a touch of warmth to an otherwise empty stadium atmosphere, a small group of Russian supporters turned up at the stadium carrying a white banner that simply read ‘Bangladesh’, with the two ‘A’s painted as love signs.

Despite the stadium being open to the public, there were hardly any spectators in attendance for the SAFF Women’s Championship clash, much like the day’s earlier encounter between Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

From a distance, the banner was difficult to read as it had been placed parallel to the press box. Bangladesh goalkeeping coach Masud Ahmed Uzzal later clarified to journalists that the banner indeed read “Bangladesh,” crafted with artistic love symbols replacing the letter ‘A’.

“We are staying at the same hotel [Planet Hollywood Beach Resort] and met them there earlier. We painted the banner this afternoon and came here to support them and watch Bangladesh play a beautiful match,” said Kostya, one of the six Russian supporters, which also included a woman.

Kostya added that the group intended to stay for both halves of the match and cheer for the Bangladesh side throughout the contest.

According to BFF media manager Saeed Hasan, the Bangladesh women’s team had already developed a friendly relationship with the Russians during their stay at the hotel, even playing volleyball together in their leisure time.

The Russian supporters later revealed that they had arrived in Goa in mid-April on a government naval assignment and are expected to remain there for three months.