Bangladesh women’s football head coach Peter Butler has effectively ended the international career of long-serving captain and top-scorer Sabina Khatun by omitting her from the 23-member squad announced on Sunday for the upcoming tour of Jordan.
Sabina, who has netted 36 goals in 56 appearances during a 15-year career, was left out alongside four other SAFF Championship winners – Sanjida Akhter, Masura Parvin, Krishna Rani Sarkar, and Matsushima Sumaya. The exclusion of such key figures, central to Bangladesh’s regional success, has intensified scrutiny on the apparent rift between Butler and senior players that came to light during the SAFF campaign in Nepal last year.
Asked about Sabina’s absence, Englishman Butler was candid in his response: “I think Sabina has run her race. If I’m being honest with you, if I’m being practical, I think her time’s come to an end. I think you’ve got to move on.”
When asked about Sabina Khatun’s performances in the Bhutanese league for Paro FC where she scored 8 goals in her first match, he said,
“Even Kiron (Mahfuza Akter Kiron, chairperson of the Bangladesh Football Federation’s women’s wing) can play as a center forward in the Bhutanese league.”
The fallout between Butler and senior players reached a tipping point earlier this year when 18 players boycotted a training camp on 30 January. While nine of those players have since returned to the squad and are included for the Jordan tour, Sabina and several other prominent names remain excluded.
The current squad also features 11 players who took part in February’s friendlies against the UAE, and includes three new faces: goalkeeper Ferdousi Akter, midfielder Shanti Mardi and forward Umela Marma.
Although Butler did not reference the internal rift during Sunday’s press conference, he stated that his selection was based on a combination of form, fitness, game-time, discipline, attitude, and a desire to give younger players more exposure.
Another notable decision was the appointment of Afeida Khandaker as captain. Despite the return of experienced campaigners such as Monika Chakma, Ritu Porna Chakma and Maria Manda, Butler chose to persist with Afeida, who had captained the youthful squad in the UAE.
“I think she’s a good leader. I think she’s got character. I think she leads by example. She’s not a massive talker,” Butler said. “Why shouldn’t I have the right to choose my captain? Experienced or inexperienced, captains lead by example, not just from a vocal perspective but from practical perspective.”
When approached for comment on the exclusion of senior players, Kiron, avoided giving a direct response. She said she believed in professionalism and did not see the need to question team selection.
The Bangladesh squad is set to depart for Amman this morning. They will face 74th-ranked Jordan on 31 May and 94th-ranked Indonesia on 3 June as part of their build-up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers scheduled for June and July.
Bangladesh Squad
Goalkeepers: Rupna Chakma, Meghla Rani, Ferdousi Akter,
Defenders: Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar Sr, Afeida Khandaker (C), Joynab Bibi
Midfielders: Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Munki Akter, Shopna Rani, Kohati Kisku, Halima Akter, Shanti Mardi
Forwards: Ritu Porna Chakma, Tohura Khatun, Shamsunnahar Jr, Mosammat Sagorika, Shaheda Akter, Surobhi Akond, Mosammat Sultana, Nobirun Khatun, Umela Marma