Bangladesh women have mapped out their Asian Cup preparation, starting a training camp this Wednesday in Dhaka before heading to Thailand and Australia for two warm-up matches ahead of the tournament beginning on 3 March in Australia.
The break in the domestic league, created to accommodate the Under-19 SAFF Championship, has opened a rare window. The senior side has stepped straight into it with a focused camp under fitness coach Cameron Lord.
Rituporna Chakma and her teammates began work immediately. Anika Rania Siddiqui also linked up with the squad today after arriving from Sweden.
Head coach Peter Butler will miss the early phase. He has taken charge of the Under-19 team in Nepal, leaving the senior group in Lord’s hands.
Butler will return to Dhaka on 8 February after completing SAFF duties. The league will then conclude with its final two matches before the main squad leaves the country around 15 or 16 February.
Bangladesh plan to spend a week in Thailand until 22 February. From there, they will fly directly to Australia to complete final preparations.
The federation has already confirmed one match in Australia. Bangladesh will face A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers on 26 February.
BFF vice-president Fahad Karim said, “The girls will play two matches in Thailand and Australia.” The clarity matters after months of disrupted planning.
He added, “The Thailand tour still needs final confirmation.” That uncertainty has shaped the backup plan.
Karim made the position clear, saying, “If Thailand does not happen, the girls will not sit idle in Dhaka.” The focus remains firmly on match sharpness.
He continued, “In that case, we will go straight to Australia on the 15th or 16th.” The Wanderers match already sits locked into the schedule.
Karim concluded, “Before the Asian Cup, the girls will play two matches, that is certain.” That commitment signals intent rather than hope.
Bangladesh have used Thailand before as a testing ground after qualifying for the Asian Cup. Those previous results went against Butler’s side, but the exposure hardened the group.
A subsequent tri-nation event in Dhaka against Azerbaijan and Malaysia also ended in defeat. Still, the narrow 2-1 loss to Azerbaijan showed visible improvement.
Domestic league form has since lifted confidence. Butler has watched closely from the stands and may reward form with new faces in this initial camp.
Futsal performers like Sabina Khatun, Masura Parveen and Krishna Rani remain under consideration. The federation has already arranged health insurance for them ahead of the Australia tour.
