Impressed by team’s professionalism, says coach Butler after Bangladesh thrash Turkmenistan

The coach is increasingly optimistic about the women’s team's future after seeing the eagerness of newcomers to secure their places in the squad

The campaign started with a 7-0 thrashing of Bahrain. Now, the Bangladesh women’s football team have crushed Turkmenistan by the same margin. With a 2-1 victory over a sturdy Myanmar in between, the team is on a hot streak. What has impressed coach Peter James Butler throughout this run is the team’s professional mentality.

With wins in the first two matches, Bangladesh had already secured their place in the main stage of the Women's Asian Cup for the first time. However, the girls were determined to crown the historic achievement with a perfect record by defeating Turkmenistan. On Saturday in Yangon, they achieved their goal spectacularly.

It turned into a goal fest as the women teed up, scoring seven times in the first half alone. Although they didn’t find the net in the second half, their joy of victory remained undiminished. With the match’s fate largely decided before the break, Butler got the opportunity to field young players like Halima Akter, Sultana, and Shaheda Akter Ripa.

In his post-match reaction, the English coach highlighted the team’s professionalism.

“The match (against Turkmenistan) was effectively over by the first half. I decided to make several substitutions and just thought that we would perform with a very effective and professional attitude tonight. I’m happy that the girls did that, and not just tonight (but throughout the tournament).”

“There is also fatigue after playing so many matches across seven to eight days, but I felt that we truly delivered a professional performance. That’s a great thing. I’m proud of these girls. They followed the match plan and executed it with a professional attitude.”

After the last Women’s SAFF Championship, the team seemed shaken by “mutiny” and unrest. After the rebellion ended, Ritu Porna Chakma, Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Nilufa Yesmin Nila, and Sheuli Azim got the opportunity to return to the team. Many of them shone during the Myanmar tour. Sabina Khatun, Sanjida Akter, Krishna Rani Sarkar, and Masura Parvin were not on this tour; they were playing in the Bhutan league.

Sultana, Halima, and Umehla Marma’s performances have made clear that the path back for those players may be a difficult one. But the newcomers’ rise has made Butler more hopeful about the team’s future.

“Now we have a very good working environment, and we can see the new stars and the newcomers trying hard to earn their place in the team.”