A youthful Bangladesh women’s football team without experienced skipper Sabina Khatun suffered a 1-0 loss against 100-place higher ranked Chinese Taipei in the last match of the two-game FIFA friendly series at Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka Monday.
Su Yu-Hsuan was on target for the visiting side as her close-range placing shot in the 17th minute turned out to be the only goal of the game.
New head coach Peter Butler in his second international match in charge made four changes to the side that lost 4-0 in the first encounter.
From three defenders in the last tie, Butler included Shamsunnahar and Anai Mogini to strengthen the back-four while Under-19 star Shamsunnahar Jr replaced Sabina in the attacking front.
U-17 midfielder Sapna Rani started ahead of Matsushima Sumaya and Shaheda Akter Ripa to occupy the mid zone alongside Monika Chakma and Munki Akter.
It was not only the rotation of formation and line-up but perhaps also the mental and physical aspect of the home girls who looked more organized and disciplined against the strong visitors.
Along with injury issues that left Maria Manda and Sanjida Akter on the bench, the talked-about fatigue factor after the just-concluded league was evident in Bangladesh’s display in the first clash.
Monika was arguably the top performer of the home side whose diligent flow in midfield alongside Shamsunnahar Jr’s quick movements kept the opponents’ defence in check.
The hosts were boosted by better legs after the halfway point of the second half as soon as Sabina, with bandages on her left hand, replaced Tahura Khatun in the 78th minute.
Bangladesh can take positives from the two friendly ties in their bid to retain the title of the SAFF Women’s Championship scheduled for later this year.
RESULT
Bangladesh 0 Chinese Taipei 1 (Su 17)