Sweden-based midfielder Anika Rania Siddiqui is set to make her debut for the Bangladesh women’s football team, joining the squad for the Asian Cup in Australia, which starts on 1 March. At 20 years old, Anika becomes the first Sweden-based player to earn a place in the national women’s team, alongside two other newcomers, Alpi Akter and Souravi Afrin.
British coach Peter Butler has finalised a 26-member squad for the tournament. Typically, Bangladesh fields 23 players, but the AFC allowed three additional members for this edition. The expanded squad gives the team more depth as it prepares to compete against Asia’s top sides.
Anika has been training in Dhaka for several days and says she is enjoying the experience despite initial challenges adapting to the weather and environment. “It feels good. Initially, it was a little difficult, the weather and everything is new. But gradually it is getting better. At first, there were some difficulties, but day by day it is improving,” she told BFF.
Anika has been involved with football since childhood and has long dreamed of representing Bangladesh. “Since childhood, my goal has been to represent Bangladesh. I will play for them no matter what. Now I am happy to be practising with the national team,” she said. Wearing the red-and-green jersey will fulfil a dream she has nurtured since she first started playing the game.
Since joining the national squad, Anika has quickly developed friendships with her teammates. “I have made good friends here. I am talking about Afeeda, Ripa, Swapna, and Rupna,” she added. This camaraderie is expected to help her settle into the squad and perform confidently in Australia.
