Bangladesh, sans 18 senior players and comprising mostly U-20 players, fielded a second-string side against an experienced UAE side, possessing a few European-origin players.

For Ayonto, this breakthrough is “beyond expectations,” and success is not merely a personal triumph; it is a monumental milestone for the Mahato community.

Bangladesh will face the UAE on February 26 before playing the same opponents again on March 2.

There apparently has not been any headway in the impasse in women's football despite a wholehearted effort from the president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to break the ice between the 18 senior players and the head coach of the women's national team.

In a unique move and a massive recognition, Bangladesh national women's football team were yesterday announced as a recipient of the Ekushey Padak 2025, the second-highest civilian honour of the country, alongside 14 other individuals for their contributions in various fields.

The government has announced the names of 14 eminent citizens and the Bangladesh women’s national football team for the Ekushey Padak 2025 in recognition of their contributions to their respective fields.

Citing reports from various news outlets, the statement highlighted the harassment faced by the national women’s football team, including players who have won the SAFF Championship title twice.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, the players expressed their frustration over what they see as neglect from BFF.

Some senior women footballers today skipped the national team’s training session under reappointed English coach Peter Butler ahead of their upcoming FIFA friendly matches in February-March.

The women’s league is usually held in a single-league format but Kiran informed that the federation wants to introduce the double-league format in the WFL in order to get FIFA recognition.

“The training of the Bangladesh U-20 women’s team is going to start on December 1 with the participation of 30 players under English coach Peter Butler,” BFF Women’s Committee chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron said yesterday.

As they say, it’s better to try and fail than to never try at all. This is the time for Bangladesh to try and climb up the ladder in women’s football globally.

After conquering South Asia twice, Sabina Khatun, captain of the Bangladesh women’s football team, wants to achieve greater glory at the Asian level.

In 2022, when the women in red and green earned their maiden title, many skeptics had credited luck for the success. However, beating hosts Nepal 2-1 yesterday and securing the SAFF Women’s Championship title again proves that their triumph is no accident, especially after having broken the dominance of subcontinental powerhouses India and Nepal.

Bangladesh will start their campaign by taking on Pakistan in a Group A encounter on October 20 before facing five-time champions India in the group’s second and final match on October 23, after the seven-team tournament gets underway on October 17 in Kathmandu.

Holders Bangladesh are set to leave for Nepal on October 15.

Coach Butler believes this is a good opportunity for the new players to prove themselves in competitive matches with the Bhutan fixtures.

Sabina spoke about the experience of the two Chinese Taipei ties as well as the upcoming SAFF Women's Championship.

Bangladesh coach believes his charges will have a home advantage playing on the bouncy artificial turf.

The year 2023 was expected to witness Bangladesh women's football progress in an upward trajectory on the back of winning the SAFF Women's Championship in September last year. It was not meant to be, unfortunately.