Bangladesh Blitz Bahrain

Daily Tribune

7 hours ago

Bangladesh made a statement of intent in their opening AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifying match, battering Bahrain 7-0 at Thuwanna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar on Sunday. Five first-half goals sealed an emphatic win for Peter Butler's side and left Bahrain with serious work to do if they are to keep their hopes alive of reaching Australia 2026.
Bangladesh Make Early Statement
The match began at a frenetic pace, and it was Bangladesh who imposed their will from the outset. Just ten minutes in, Shamsunnahar broke behind a static Bahraini defense, showed composure to go one-on-one with goalkeeper Khulood Saleh Adam, and chipped in the opener.
Six minutes later, Ritu Porna Chakma doubled the lead with a sensational strike from just inside the box after receiving a pinpoint diagonal pass. The Bahrain goalkeeper had no chance.
Before the half-hour mark, the tone was set. Bangladesh's energy overwhelmed Bahrain's scattered backline.
Bahrain Struggle, Bangladesh Capitalise
Bahrain entered the match looking for their first-ever Women's Asian Cup qualification, but their lack of preparation and coordination was glaring. A chaotic sequence in the 40th minute led to Bangladesh's third, as Kohati Kisku took advantage of defensive indecision to tap in from close range.
Bahrain players appealed for a foul in the build-up, but the referee waved away the protests, summing up their frustration.
Two more goals before the break hammered home Bangladesh's dominance. Tohura Khatun's clever chip made it 4-0, with Khulood getting fingertips on the ball but unable to keep it out. Just moments later, Khatun was again at the center of the action, slotting home Bangladesh's fifth after a swift counterattack down the flank, with Shamsunnahar providing the assist.
Bangladesh seal it
The sixth goal came in the 60th minute and was credited as an own goal by Rawan Alali. Bangladesh delivered a beautiful and dangerous cross, stretching out a leg to tip the ball towards the far post. Rawan Alali failed to clear the ball ahead of it, and with a miscued effort, the ball scraped in off her as the final touch.
Bangladesh's seventh goal was a beautiful finish by Munki. She fake-shotted Rawan Alali, sending her the wrong way, then wrongfooted the goalkeeper before calmly placing the ball into the corner.
Nightmare Start for Bahrain
For Mohammed Adnan's Bahrain side, the match was a harsh reminder of the gap in match readiness.
Bahrain now face an uphill climb in Group C, with matches against Turkmenistan and hosts Myanmar still to come. With only the group winner advancing to next year's tournament, there is little margin for error.
Bangladesh Send A Message
For Bangladesh, these three points were a show of maturity and ruthlessness. Shamsunnahar and Khatun were instrumental in the attacking third, while Rupna Chakma remained largely untested in goal.
With two more games to go, they've sent a warning to the rest of the group. Their eyes are firmly set on a return to the Women's Asian Cup, and if this performance is any indication, they'll take some stopping.