Bangladesh women's football team faces a daunting challenge on Friday when they take on Chinese Taipei in an international friendly at the Bashundhara Kings King's Arena. The gulf in FIFA rankings is stark, with Chinese Taipei sitting comfortably at 40th while Bangladesh lags behind at 140th.
Despite the disparity, the Bangladesh team remains optimistic about the opportunity to face such a high-calibre opponent. Captain Sabina Khatun acknowledges the importance of such matches, stating, "We need to play more games against teams of this calibre. The more we challenge ourselves against stronger opposition, the more our players can learn and develop."
Taking heart from previous experiences, Sabina draws confidence from past encounters with strong teams. "We've faced several formidable opponents over the past year, including at the Asian Games. That experience will be valuable," she adds. The Bangladesh team will be guided by head coach James Peter Butler of the BFF Elite Academy. This English coach brings international experience from his previous roles with the national teams of Botswana and Liberia. Butler expresses his enthusiasm for the challenge, stating, "My aim is to build a strong foundation for the Bangladesh women's national team. While results haven't been ideal recently, I believe this talented team has the potential to progress."
Butler sets a realistic goal for the match: "While I acknowledge past performances haven't been stellar – conceding 15 goals in three games at the Asian Games being a case in point – this team has the talent to move forward."
The Bangladesh squad sees some notable absences due to injury, with Krishna Rani Sarkar and Maria Manda missing out. However, Coach Butler emphasizes the opportunity this presents for new players: "Their absence creates opportunities for others to shine." Sagarika, the top scorer and best player of the recent SAFF U-19 tournament, seizes her first chance on the national team stage. Souravhi Akand Preeti, the best footballer and highest goal scorer in Bangladesh's victorious U-16 championship in Nepal, also receives a call-up. Goalkeeper Yarjan Begum from the SAFF U-16 team earns her first selection for the senior side, while Munki Akhter prepares to don the national team jersey for the first time.
With a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, the Bangladesh women's football team will be looking to put on a spirited performance against their highly-ranked opponents.
