After a historic win over Bahrain, what’s next for Bangladesh?

Times Sports
4 Min Read
Bangladesh celebrate their win against Bahrain. Photo: BFF

For the Bangladesh women’s football team, the number one now means more than just a step up the stats sheet. After five previous defeats in two AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification campaigns without a single goal scored, Bangladesh finally earned their breakthrough victory. And it came in emphatic fashion.

Peter Butler’s side delivered a stunning performance to thrash Bahrain 7–0 on Saturday evening at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium. This was not just their first win in the competition’s history, but also their first goal.

It took only 10 minutes for the breakthrough. Shamsunnahar Jr found the net, ending a barren run that stretched back to the team’s debut in the 2014 qualifiers. In those five matches across 2014 and 2022, Bangladesh had conceded 25 goals and scored none. But this time, the narrative flipped.

After Shamsunnahar’s opener, the goals kept coming. Tahura Khatun, Ritu Porna Chakma, Kohati Kisku, and Munki Akter all contributed to a goal spree that saw Bangladesh dominate from start to finish. At full time, the scoreline stood at 7–0. The result is even more striking when one considers that Bangladesh are ranked 128th in the FIFA rankings, 36 places below Bahrain.

Such a commanding performance has naturally raised hopes across Bangladesh. From a team that had never scored nor won in previous qualifying campaigns, this was a remarkable turnaround. With renewed belief within the squad and coaching staff, a place in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup final tournament now feels within reach.

Qualification picture in focus

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup will take place in Australia in 2026 and will feature 12 teams. Four spots have already been secured by hosts Australia, and the top three finishers from the 2022 edition: China, Japan, and South Korea. The remaining eight slots will be filled by the winners of the eight qualification groups.

There are 34 teams in the current qualifying phase, split into eight groups. Only the top team from each group will qualify. There is no second chance for runners-up.

Bangladesh are competing in Group C, alongside hosts Myanmar, Bahrain, and Turkmenistan. All group matches are being held in Myanmar from 29 June to 5 July. With their opening win, Bangladesh have taken three points. Myanmar also won their first game, beating Turkmenistan 8–0, which puts them top on goal difference.

Myanmar, currently ranked 55th in the world, are the toughest side in the group. Bangladesh will face them on 2 July. A win would guarantee Bangladesh qualification, while a draw would keep their hopes alive going into the final group matches on 5 July. Bangladesh will play Turkmenistan, ranked 141st, in that final fixture.

More than just a dream

Qualifying for the Asian Cup would be a major achievement. But the rewards could stretch even further. Reaching the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup would allow Bangladesh to enter the Olympic qualifying cycle for Los Angeles 2028. Reaching the semi-finals, or winning a play-off match after a quarter-final exit, could even lead to a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Those goals remain distant for now. The focus, quite rightly, is on the immediate challenge. The upcoming match against Myanmar could define the course of this campaign and shape the future of women’s football in Bangladesh.

For now, Bangladesh can celebrate a historic first. A breakthrough has come. The wait is over. And the journey forward has well and truly begun.

 

 

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