Rituparna Chakma scored twice as Bangladesh women’s team pulled off a stunning 2-1 win against hosts Myanmar on 2 July, putting them within touching distance of qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup main round.
At the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, the forward opened the scoring with a rebound in the 19th minute and later added a sublime second midway through the second half. Myanmar, ranked 73 places above Bangladesh, could only manage a late consolation goal through Win Win in the 88th minute.
Despite coming under heavy pressure, Bangladesh held on to claim a famous victory overcoming both the odds and the home crowd. With back-to-back wins in Group C, following their 7-0 rout of Bahrain, Peter Butler’s side now top the group with six points.
Myanmar, who had opened their campaign with an 8-0 thrashing of Turkmenistan, remain on three. Bangladesh will now face Turkmenistan in their final group match on Saturday, where avoiding a major upset should seal their spot in the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia.
The match began with early signs of intensity. In just the second minute, Monica Chakma’s cross forced the Myanmar keeper into action. Moments later, Shamsunnahar Sr. made a vital block inside her own box.
Bangladesh survived a scare in the 12th minute when goalkeeper Rupna Chakma rushed off her line to clear a dangerous through ball before Myanmar’s forwards could pounce. Six minutes on, Shamsunnahar Jr. was fouled on the edge of the box after trying to dance through two defenders.
From the resulting free-kick, Rituparna’s initial shot struck the wall, but she followed up with a composed low drive that nestled into the far corner — sending the Bangladeshi bench into raptures.
The lead was nearly doubled in the 24th minute when Shamsunnahar Jr.’s close-range effort struck the post following another teasing ball from Rituparna.
Myanmar threatened intermittently, with Phyu Phyu Win’s long-range free-kick comfortably gathered by Rupna, and a glaring miss from captain Khin Mo Mo Tun after a defensive lapse. The first half ended with Myanmar hitting the crossbar and Shamsunnahar Jr. receiving treatment after a rough challenge.
Myanmar began the second half on the front foot, but the Bangladeshi defence, marshalled by Afeida Khandaker and Shamsunnahar Sr., resisted brilliantly.
Then came the defining moment in the 72nd minute. Rituparna collected the ball just outside the box, took a step forward and unleashed a left-footed strike that soared over the Myanmar goalkeeper and into the net her second of the match, and one worthy of sealing any contest.
Myanmar pushed for a comeback. In the 77th minute, Myat Aye Hnin broke into the box but was denied by a brave stop from Rupna. The 2022 and 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship-winning keeper showed her class again in the dying minutes.
Myanmar finally breached the defence in the 88th minute, as an unmarked Win Win converted a cross to make it 2-1. But Bangladesh held firm until the final whistle to clinch a famous win.