Bangladesh ended their Asian Games campaign with a goalless draw against Myanmar at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Monday, earning their first point after heavy defeats by North Korea and South Korea.
Peter Butler’s side entered the final Group F match looking to finish the tournament positively after conceding 16 goals without scoring in their opening two games. North Korea had beaten Bangladesh 10-0 before South Korea followed with a 6-0 victory.
Myanmar started brightly and created the early pressure. They took two shots in the second minute, forcing one save from Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma, while another went wide. A Myanmar effort was blocked in the 20th minute.
Bangladesh also created opportunities but lacked accuracy. Afeida Khandaker sent a free-kick wide in the 19th minute, while Ritu Porna Chakma’s effort in the 40th minute also failed to find the target.
The second half followed a similar pattern, although Myanmar increased the pressure towards the end. Rupna made another important save in the 77th minute before Bangladesh’s defence blocked two more efforts.
Bangladesh still searched for a winner. They earned a corner in the 85th minute and Ritu Porna saw another effort blocked a minute later, before the attack ended with an offside decision.
Myanmar continued attacking in the closing stages, but Bangladesh held firm to secure a 0-0 draw.
Bangladesh enjoyed 48 per cent possession but managed only three shots, none of which were on target. Myanmar registered eight shots, with two on target, both saved by Rupna.
The result ended Bangladesh’s Asian Games campaign with one point and no goals scored. Their direct route to the quarter-finals had already disappeared after the first two defeats, while a win over Myanmar would only have kept alive a slim chance of progressing as one of the best third-placed teams.
This was Bangladesh’s second appearance in the women’s football tournament at the Asian Games. They also recorded two defeats and one draw in 2023, conceding 15 goals.
