BANGLADESH RELAXED ON THE VERGE OF HISTORY

Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:25 AM

BANGLADESH RELAXED ON THE VERGE OF HISTORY

Bangla Press Desk: The past offers little comfort. The record books tell a tale of struggle. Yet, the present hums with promise. Standing on the threshold of history, Bangladesh’s under-20 women’s footballers need just a single point to unlock the gates to Asia’s grandest stage. On Sunday afternoon in Vientiane’s Lao National Stadium KM 16, the Young Tigresses will face the formidable Korea Republic in their final group clash of the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers. Kick-off is set for 3:00 PM Bangladesh time — 90 minutes that could etch their names in gold. The Young Tigresses have never before graced the main stage of the Asian Cup — a dream now just within touching distance.

Bangladesh, after beating hosts Laos 3-1 and Timor-Leste 8-0, sit atop Group H after the second match day, even though their final opponents, Korea Republic, share the same points and goal difference. Enter the promise, and the hope. In last two months, Bangladesh’s women’s football has jumped highest. The senior side stormed into the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the under-20s lifted the SAFF crown unbeaten — and both times, at the helm, stood Peter Butler. Yet, the Englishman knows reality. The gap between 104th-ranked Bangladesh and 21st-ranked Korea Republic is a gulf that statistics don’t hide.

“Korea are a good team with great quality. On paper, we are not in their league,” Butler admitted after the Timor-Leste rout, even as Korea and Laos prepared to clash. Then came a twist — Laos’ stubborn resistance, broken only by Korea’s last-gasp strike, rekindled the embers of belief. Perhaps the gulf isn’t as wide as the numbers claim. With nine players from the national team squad, and with the scorching form of Mst Sagorika, Sree Moti Trishna Rani, Munki Akhter, Shanti Mardi and company, the dream refuses to fade. One solitary point will seal the crown of Group H.

But, what if defeat arrives? Enter the equations. By the laws of the game, only the eight group champions and the three best runners-up will join hosts Thailand at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026. If Bangladesh lose against Korea Republic, they will still have six precious points — but their fate will no longer be in their own hands. Then begins the numbers game, the cruel contest of margins. A narrow defeat could still keep the dream alive, but the Young Tigresses must outshine the likes of Nepal, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, China, Lebanon, Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Jordan in both points and goals. Yet in the camp, hope hums like a quiet anthem. The air is light, the spirits high. “We have played well in the first two matches in Laos and earned good results. Korea Republic is a strong team, but we will try to give our best,” said team manager Mahmuda Akter on Saturday.

“Alhamdulillah, everyone is fine. The little niggles are gone. We had our recovery today — swimming, stretching, gym for those who didn’t play. We enjoyed the day. Please pray for us so we can bring smiles to everyone,” she added. Time and again, the women’s team — from seniors to age-level — have gifted Bangladesh those smiles. Now, the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup stands at the horizon, waving to the red-and-green. This article was originally published on Daily Sun. [Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.] B P/SP

[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]