Jamshedpur, Mar 18 (PTI) Their confidence might be on high after a morale-boosting 7-0 thrashing of Nepal in their campaign opener, but hosts India will have their task cut out against defending champions Bangladesh in their second match of the SAFF U-18 women's championships here on Saturday.

It will not be an easy game for Thomas Dennerby's side as Bangladesh are also coming into Saturday's match after a dominating 4-2 win over Nepal.

Also Read | UEFA Champions League 2021-22 Quarterfinal Draw Live Streaming Online: Where To Watch Live Telecast of UCL Draw on TV in Indian Time (IST)?.

Dennerby asked his players to raise their level when they play against Bangladesh at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here.

"I hope we can play in a relaxed manner after that good start to the tournament. But the fact remains that it's a new game tomorrow. So we need full concentration going ahead," said Dennerby on the eve of the match.

Also Read | Indian Wells 2022: Rafael Nadal Beats Nick Kyrgios in 3 Sets at BNP Paribas Open, Goes to 19-0.

"We came to this tournament with the aim of having four good games, and we are not satisfied with just one win. I hope we can come to the stadium against Bangladesh with the same energy."

Despite India having a near-perfect game against Nepal, the 62-year-old coach feels that there is always room for improvement.

"There are some small situations where we can improve the way we deal with things. I think we play a bit slow, sometimes a few too many square passes. If we can put in a few quick passes in the midfield and then play through balls like we did against Nepal. I hope we can keep going that way," said Dennerby.

"Bangladesh have also had a very good result against Nepal, and they have been very successful in this competition in the past. But I will tell the same thing that I have always told my players – we will show the same amount of respect to all our opponents, but fear none of them," said the India head coach.

India midfielder Martina Thokchom, who made her senior international debut in Brazil last year, feels that the team has gradually ironed out its weaknesses and improved over time.

"We have been working on various areas over the past couple of months. Yes, we had a good game against Nepal, but there are plenty of areas where we can improve," said Martina.

"We have worked one a few of them before the Bangladesh game, and hopefully we can put in a good show tomorrow."

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)