Bangladesh’s women’s football team has made history by qualifying for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time ever. The team had already secured their place in the tournament by winning their first two group matches against Bahrain and Myanmar in the qualifying round.
Bangladesh only needed a draw between Turkmenistan and Bahrain to confirm their top spot. That match ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, allowing Bangladesh to top Group C with 6 points. Even if they lose their final match against Turkmenistan, they will remain group champions. The result would stand even if host nation Myanmar beats Bahrain in their final game.
This achievement marks a massive leap for the team, which failed to register a single win in their two previous Asian Cup appearances (2014 and 2022). This time, however, Bangladesh not only won both opening matches but did so convincingly—against higher-ranked teams.
Bangladesh, ranked 128th in the FIFA rankings, thrashed 92nd-ranked Bahrain 7-0 in their opening game. Then they stunned 55th-ranked Myanmar 2-0, with both goals coming from Rituparna Chakma. This victory over Myanmar is Bangladesh’s first ever, having previously lost 5-0 to them in the 2018 Olympic qualifiers.
Rituparna Chakma and Afida Khandaker led from the front, silencing their higher-ranked opponents and securing a landmark moment in Bangladesh’s football history.