Peter James Butler’s side is racing toward a massive win with an aggressive brand of football.
“A brilliant chip shot from Shamsunnahar Junior gave Bangladesh the lead. Then, with a beautiful left-footed curler, Rituporna Chakma doubled the score.” Within just 15 minutes, Bahrain — ranked far above Bangladesh in the FIFA rankings — found themselves completely overwhelmed. By halftime, Bangladesh had added three more goals, heading into the break with a commanding 5-0 lead in their opening AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifier.
Playing in Yangon on Sunday, Bangladesh and Bahrain kicked off their first group stage match, and it’s been all dominance from Butler’s team. The remaining three goals in the first half came from “two by Tohura Khatun and one from Kohati Kisku.”
Right from the first minute, Bangladesh pressed hard. Rituporna unleashed a long-range strike from the left, forcing the goalkeeper to save it on the second attempt. In the last SAFF Championship, Rituporna had scored from a similar spot against Nepal.
Bangladesh’s pressure paid off in the 10th minute. “A long cross from midfield broke the offside trap, and Shamsunnahar Junior burst into the box with pace. Spotting the onrushing goalkeeper, she chipped the ball perfectly over her head and into the net.”
Just five minutes later, the lead was extended. “Receiving a horizontal pass from Swapna Rani, Rituporna entered the box and curled a stunning left-footed strike into the goal.” Bangladesh had taken complete control of the match.
In the 24th minute, Monica Chakma had a golden chance to make it 3–0. With only the goalkeeper to beat, she blasted the ball over the bar and buried her face in her hands in disbelief.
In the 32nd minute, Tohura headed in a cross from Afeeda Khandakar, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Moments later, Shamsunnahar Junior entered the six-yard box with the ball but fumbled before getting a shot off. In the 35th minute, Tohura’s close-range effort was blocked by a defender.
Goalkeeper Rupna Chakma spent a quiet first half but sprang into action in the 37th minute. “Sensing danger, the two-time SAFF champion rushed out of her box to clear the ball with a powerful kick.” Shortly after, Maria’s clever footwork led to a shot that narrowly missed the crossbar.
In the 40th minute, Bangladesh added another. “After Monica’s corner, Maria carried the ball forward and delivered a low cross into the box. Bahrain’s defense failed to clear it, and the ball deflected to Kohati Kisku, who tapped it in from the crowd of players.”
During added time in the first half, Bangladesh struck twice more. “Tohura’s shot from just outside the box found the net after grazing the goalkeeper’s gloves.” Then, “Shamsunnahar Junior cut the ball back perfectly to Tohura, who finished with a precise touch to bag her second goal.”
