The Women’s Football League returned on Monday evening at Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur, where Army announced their comeback intent by defeating Police FC 2-0 in the opening match, ending an 18-month hiatus for the competition and setting the tone for a youth-driven campaign.
Under bright floodlights and before an animated crowd, Army produced a controlled and courageous display against a Police side packed with experience and established names. The difference came from Tanima Biswas, whose two goals underlined both composure and belief on a night when youth outweighed reputation.
The contest began at a brisk pace. Police FC threatened early and should have taken the lead in the 12th minute when Sagarika found space inside the area, only for Army goalkeeper Mili Akhter to save sharply from a tight angle. Much of the first half unfolded in midfield, with neither side able to impose sustained dominance.
The breakthrough arrived five minutes before the interval. Tanima collected the ball outside the penalty area and unleashed a fierce strike that beat goalkeeper Taslima and flew into the net, igniting the stands and giving Army a 1-0 lead at the break.
Police FC pushed hard after the restart in search of an equaliser. In the 56th minute, Sabina Khatun Ruby lifted a clever chip that appeared destined for the goal, but Ruma Akhter reacted swiftly to clear the ball off the line. Army absorbed the pressure with discipline, drawing confidence from a side that featured nine players from the Under-20 age-group setup.
Their resolve was rewarded in the 70th minute. Sultana released Tanima with a perfectly weighted through ball and the forward finished clinically to double the advantage. That second goal effectively ended the contest, leaving Police FC with too much to do in the closing stages.
This season’s league features 11 teams, with four new entrants in Police FC, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, BKSP and Rajshahi Stars Football Club. The champions will receive prize money of Tk 400,000. Yet on opening night, the value of the result for Army lay beyond figures, as smiles at full-time reflected the satisfaction of a confident return and a statement victory built on youth, organisation and belief.
