How Yearzan became goalkeeper and why she didn’t wear No. 1

After a stunning triple penalty saves in the SAFF Under-16 Women’s Championship 2024 final against India that made Bangladesh unbeaten champions, Yearzan Begum became the undisputed heroine of the day and that too on her youth international tournament debut.

Upon her return to the homeland Monday, the overnight star, who was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the competition in No. 22 jersey, revealed that she also played in attack and defence before switching to keeping following direction of the coach.

While talking to the reporters at the Bangladesh Football Federation House, she also said it was her choice not to pick the No. 1 jersey.

She said: “I played as goalkeeper in school level. I started playing as striker in the academy. I also played in defence. One day, my coach (Abu Taleb Tuku) said I have the nerves to be a goalkeeper. I agreed. Since then, I have been playing as goalkeeper.”

Tuku, a former footballer, runs a non-residential football academy for boys and girls at his own cost in Panchagarh.

He scouted Yearzan in his team after watching a Bangamata Primary School Football Tournament match.

Yearzan

He told Dhaka Tribune that during a goalkeeping session at practice, he called Yearzan to try her luck between the sticks and discovered that she was better than the main goalkeeper.

“She (Yearzan) used to play in attacking midfield. Around four-five years ago, I told her that she has the sense to become a goalkeeper. I taught her everything about goalkeeping. She also worked very hard and came to the field hours before practice,” he said.

Yearzan is the first member of Tuku’s academy who got national team call since its formation in 2016. 

Tuku informed that Yearzan made two penalty saves in a match of his team but never saw her make three saves before.

The Panchagarh-based coach recalled that he found Yearzan wearing No. 10 jersey before she joined his academy where she decided to take the No. 22 jersey.

“I liked the number 22 very much since childhood. I was asked if I’d want to wear No. 1 but I replied I want No. 22,” she said.

But why No. 22? Yearzan did not want to elaborate further.