How ready is the bangladesh women’s football team?

A sea of people lined the streets to welcome the women footballers as they rode on an open-top bus from the airport to Motijheel, with celebrities joining in the celebration. The scenes following the victory at the Women’s SAFF Championship in 2022 are surely unforgettable for football enthusiasts in the country. The emotional center of that tournament still resonates as another edition approaches after nearly 25 months.

Bangladesh shattered the dreams of the hosts, Nepal, at the Dasarath Stadium. Now, the red and greens face the challenge of retaining their first-ever crown. The team, led by coach Peter Butler, will take on this challenge once again at the very stadium where they celebrated their previous victory. The pressing question is: how prepared is Bangladesh to confront this challenge?

While Bangladesh may feel fully prepared, it’s crucial to note that their regional rivals, Nepal and India, have also made significant preparations. From that perspective, the task of retaining the championship appears to be genuinely daunting for the Bangladeshi squad.

Due to injury and rehabilitation, Krishna Rani Sarker is lagging behind her teammates in preparation for the SAFF Championship. The forward, who scored two goals in the final against Nepal, is uncertain about her place in the final squad. She has recently returned to training and is working hard to regain her fitness and the confidence lost due to her injury. Coach Peter Butler is in a dilemma regarding her inclusion in the national team; although Krishna Rani hasn’t reached full fitness and confidence, the coach may take a gamble on her based on her displayed skills during training. However, with ample options available in the attacking line, Krishna needs to consistently showcase her abilities in practice to secure her spot.

Beyond the attack, the coach also has sufficient alternatives in other positions. With various lineup options available, Peter Butler may take a squad capable of employing multiple formations to Nepal. Despite having a talent-rich group, can Bangladesh feel confident about retaining the SAFF crown? The likely answer is no. Following their SAFF victory, Bangladesh has faced a downturn, while their main rivals, Nepal and India, have regularly competed against strong teams in competitive football. In contrast, Bangladesh has been limited to friendly matches.

Let's take a closer look at the statistics of Bangladesh and its two main rivals since the 2022 SAFF Championship. India has played 19 international matches, facing teams such as Kosovo, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, Estonia, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, and Jordan. Nepal has competed in 14 matches, against opponents like Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, India, Vietnam, and Japan, including two matches against Bangladesh during this period. In contrast, Bangladesh has played only 11 matches since winning the SAFF title, with three being competitive and the remaining eight labeled as FIFA friendlies. This year, Bangladesh has played four matches, all of which were FIFA friendlies. Meanwhile, India has participated in seven matches in 2024, including the Turkish Cup, and Nepal has played five matches this year, all in the West Asian Women’s Football Championship.

The statistics clearly show that India and Nepal have tested themselves in competitive football, preparing for future challenges. On the other hand, Bangladesh has been confined to friendly matches, which may create a noticeable gap in readiness for the upcoming SAFF Championship. Concerns are already being raised from within the team about this disparity. Before embarking on the mission to retain the SAFF title, there were calls from team members for more competitive matches, but these requests went unfulfilled as the football authorities were preoccupied with the upcoming federation elections.

Golam Rabbani Chhoton, who has served as the national team's coach for over a decade, hopes that Bangladesh retains the trophy won in 2022. However, he acknowledges the difficulty of this task. "I sincerely want the girls to keep the SAFF title, but it's going to be quite tough," he said. "As the champions, everyone will target Bangladesh. Moreover, in the past 25 months, India and Nepal have progressed in terms of international matches, having played more competitive games than us. From that perspective, both India and Nepal will enter the tournament as more organized teams."

The potential departure of long-time coach Golam Rabbani Chhoton is also seen as a factor that could impact the team. While coach changes are common, the manner in which Chhoton has managed the team is not easily replicated. His key strength lay in controlling the players' emotions during matches. For instance, when Bangladesh conceded an early goal, the team often lost its composure. In those moments, it was a significant challenge to rein in their emotions and regain control of the game. Chhoton regularly succeeded in navigating those challenges, effectively guiding players like Sabina and Krishna through tough situations.

Golam Rabbani Chhoton shared a sweet, parent-child-like relationship with the players, blending discipline with their various demands and wishes. By the end of each day, the entire team functioned like a well-organized family unit. However, since Chhoton's departure, his successors have struggled to maintain that level of control. As a result, some are noticing the emergence of grouping within the team, with hints of cliques forming among senior players.

Current head coach Peter Butler has made it clear that there are no distinctions between senior and junior players; skill is the sole criterion for selection. His approach has matched his words in recent times, but there are concerns that senior players might rebel against this philosophy. This unexpected issue adds an additional layer of complexity as the team prepares for the SAFF Championship.

Now, let's discuss the team’s positional dynamics. The potential absence of Krishna Rani Sarker in the attacking line is not viewed as a significant problem. However, if she can regain her fitness and confidence after her injury, her inclusion would certainly be a positive addition, thanks to her extensive experience with the national team. Aside from Krishna, coach Butler has options in the attacking line, including Tahura Khatun, Shamsun Nahar Junior, Surbhi Akand, Mosammat Sagarika, and Shaheda Akhtar Ripa.

In midfield, the duo of Moria Manda and Monika Chakma remains the team’s nucleus. Although Monika is battling for form, Maria is currently in excellent rhythm. Additionally, Rituporna Chakma, Sabina Khatun, Sanjida Akhtar, and Matsushima Sumaiya also provide valuable options in various positions.

It’s important to clarify that Sabina Khatun, once a key striker for the team, has evolved into a versatile player capable of contributing in both the attacking and midfield positions. Under coach Peter Butler’s staff, she is currently considered primarily as a midfielder. In the midfield, additional options include Tanima, Munkie Akhtar, Airin, and Swapna Rani.

In defense, the team boasts players like Masura Parvin, Sheuli Azim, Kohati Kisku, Shamsun Nahar Senior, Afida Khandakar, and Arpita Biswas. For the goalkeeper position, Rupana Chakma is the first choice, with Yarzan Begum as the second option. Additionally, a third goalkeeper will be chosen from among Mili Akhtar, Swarna Rani, and Sathi Biswas.

Beyond these players, there are many young talents in the national team camp that Peter Butler can consider for the final squad. A positive aspect is the availability of multiple qualified alternatives in each position. If players can perform at their best when it matters, it could bode well for Bangladesh. However, it remains unclear whether the coach has successfully knit the team together. A friendly match before the SAFF Championship would have provided clarity, but unfortunately, that opportunity was not available.

Bangladesh will compete in Group A of the seven-nation tournament, facing India and Pakistan. Group B consists of Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Despite being the current champions, Bangladesh is still seen as the underdog against India, largely due to India's recent football activities. However, Bangladesh carries a favorite tag as well. If no major upsets occur, both teams are expected to advance to the semifinals.
The positioning within the group is crucial, as it will determine the semifinal matchups. The top team from Group A will likely want to avoid Nepal in the semifinals, as they are the clear favorites in Group B. India, having been eliminated by Nepal in the last tournament's semifinals, will also want to avoid facing the hosts again.

In Group A, India and Pakistan will clash on October 17, the opening day. Bangladesh will face Pakistan on October 20 and then India on October 23. As the SAFF Championship approaches, all eyes will be on the upcoming matches featuring players like Maria Manda and Monika Chakma. Stay tuned for more action!

Mahbub Sarker: Sports Journalist and Analyst