The Bangladesh Women’s Football Team has made history. For the first time ever, the red and green representatives have secured a spot in the prestigious AFC Women’s Asian Cup. It was a dramatic and emotional victory as Rituparna Chakma’s two goals led the team to a 2-1 win over strong hosts Myanmar, ensuring Bangladesh’s place among Asia’s football elite.
This success didn’t come easy it was the result of years of hard work, setbacks, and unwavering determination. Rituparna, who scored both goals in the decisive match, was overwhelmed with emotion. In a video message sent by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) from Yangon, she said,
“This feeling is truly beyond words. When we found out we had qualified, it felt like a dream. After so many years and so much struggle, we’ve finally made it to the main stage of the Asian Cup. It’s a huge achievement for us.”
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Rituparna has been a key player for years, being part of both the 2022 and 2024 SAFF Championship-winning squads. She also scored in the final of the 2024 SAFF Championship. Sharing her long-time ambition, she said,
“We became SAFF champions twice. But I always had a dream—to play in Asia. Our goal was to qualify for the Asian Cup, and we finally did it.”
A significant part of this success goes to head coach Peter Butler, whose leadership and vision transformed the team. Coach Butler had once said that Rituparna had the potential to play in top-tier Asian leagues. Grateful for his guidance, Rituparna remarked,
“We got a great coach. He always wants the best for us. I don’t know how much I deserve his praise, but I’m thankful.”
