Bangladesh women’s team kicked off their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers campaign in style with a commanding 7-0 win over Bahrain at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon Sunday.
Tohura Khatun netted twice, while Shamsunnahar Jr, Ritu Porna Chakma, and Kohati Kisku each scored in the first half to put Bahrain under immense pressure before the break.
Substitute Munki Akter added one in the second half while the other was an own goal.
Despite being ranked 128th in the latest FIFA rankings - 36 places below Bahrain (92nd) - Bangladesh dominated from start to finish.
Shamsunnahar Jr opened the scoring in the 10th minute, latching onto a long ball from Sapna Rani.
She sprinted past the defense and chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper Saleh Abdulla.
Five minutes later, Ritu Porna doubled the advantage.
Sapna delivered another defense-splitting long ball, which Ritu Porna controlled on the left side of the box before firing it into the top near corner.
Bangladesh made it 3-0 in the 40th minute when Kohati capitalized on a poor clearance by the Bahrain defense to score from close range.
Tohura added two more goals in first-half stoppage time - first striking from the top of the box, then finishing off a pass from Shamsunnahar Jr from close range.
Peter Butler’s side continued their dominance after the restart.
Shamsunnahar Jr went close twice before her third attempt resulted in a goal at the hour mark, as Rawan Alali failed to clear the ball, which crossed the line.
Munki came off the bench and added a seventh in the 74th minute, dribbling past a defender before calmly placing the ball into the net.
Mosammat Sagorika, also a substitute, struck the woodwork in the 87th minute before finding the back of the net but her effort was ruled out as offside.
Bangladesh will next face hosts Myanmar in a crucial tie Wednesday, before concluding their Group C fixtures against Turkmenistan three days later.
RESULT
Bangladesh 7 (Shamsunnahar Jr 10, Ritu Porna 15, Kohati 40, Tohura 45+2, 45+4, Rawan 60-og, Munki 74) Bahrain 0
Bangladesh starting XI: Rupna Chakma, Sheuli Azim, Afeida Khandaker, Shamsunnahar, Kohati Kisku, Sapna Rani, Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Shamsunnahar Jr, Ritu Porna Chakma, Tohura Khatun.
