The men’s national football team have been at the center of attention in Bangladesh in the last few months due to the inclusion of expatriate stars like Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome.
But the focus has very much shifted to the women’s senior side after they trounced higher-ranked Bahrain 7-0 in their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Yangon Sunday.
“It's all about men's football. Great to see the girls doing the country proud. Hopefully we've put a few smiles on a few people's faces,” said Bangladesh women’s team head coach Peter Butler after the game.
“There is a lot of people maybe starting to sit up and think now about Bangladesh women's football. Maybe it's not always been the case where it's all been about the men's football.
“The girls are on a march and we've got momentum, we're pushing the truck down the road and it's gathering momentum.”
Bangladesh were winless in their last four matches before the Bahrain clash.
Against the likes of the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Jordan, the women in red and green lost two and drew as many, conceding a total of eight goals while scoring four.
“I know at times people are criticising us for not scoring goals but I always know goals are going to come especially in this team when you've got players such as Tohura (Khatun), Shamsunnahar, Ritu (Porna Chakma), Monika (Chakma),” said Butler.
“Then you've got Maria (Manda), who I thought was outstanding as well. I don't like to mention names but I thought the girls really did the country proud.”
The English coach also heaped praise on youngsters who came off the bench as substitute against Bahrain and left impact on the pitch.
“We've got a really good work ethic within the camp. The pipeline of talent coming through has been great and that gave me the opportunity to play players like Sagorika (Mosammat), Umehla (Marma), Sultana (Mosammat), Munki (Akter),” said Butler.
“I thought we really, really followed the game plan and played some great football, some really, really entertaining football which was a real positive.”
Bangladesh take on hosts Myanmar next in a crucial Group C fixture Wednesday.
Myanmar crushed Turkmenistan 8-0 in their opening encounter on the same day Bangladesh outplayed Bahrain.
“I do believe Myanmar will present a different challenge, a completely different challenge, more technically gifted. They'll have the crowd behind them. But we'll be ready for them,” said Butler.
The top finisher from the four-team group will qualify for the Asian Cup finals.