Alongside Akhi Khatun, Monika was a key member of Bangladesh’s triumphant side in the Saff U-15 Championship. She scored two goals throughout the tournament but the number of strikes doesn’t do justice to Monika’s many talents.
During the tournament, she shielded the back four with aplomb, sprayed brilliant passes to the forward line and often broke opposition attacks with her vision and tackles. The indefatigable midfielder is one of the most experienced members of the Bangladesh U-15 squad, having featured in almost each and every single women’s national age-level team in the last three years.
She took the Saff tournament by storm, registering two player of the match displays. Monika was one of the vital cogs behind Bangladesh’s historic participation in the AFC U-16 Championship in September this year, bridging the gap between defence and forward line.
But this time in the absence of attacking midfielder Srimoti Krishna Rani Sarkar, the young booter from Rangamati played in a more advanced role. Monika was only eight years old when she represented Rangamati school in the Bangamata Gold Cup Football in 2011. She was called up to the national team two years later as Bangladesh made their debut in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
