National Women’s Team head coach Peter Butler is highly optimistic about the new junior footballers participating in his training camp ahead of the upcoming UAE tour.
“New start, new Team, bright future,” the 58-year-old veteran Englishman commented about his new team.
Butler has been preparing junior footballers for the upcoming UAE tour since 18 senior players boycotted his training upon his arrival in Dhaka on January 28.
“We have 36 girls with a positive mindset to work with. It sends out a clear message to every girl that everyone has equal opportunity to stake a claim to wear the Bangladesh shirt. Competitiveness and patience is the key,” he further added.
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) completed contractual formalities with 36 out of their 55 listed women footballers last Monday.
“On a more positive note, we have 36 young female players who have been excellent over the past few weeks despite the difficult circumstances. The BFF has just awarded them new contracts, which is great for the future,” Butler said when asked about the new contracts for the girls.
However, Butler continued his two-shift training with juniors at the National Stadium and at the Brothers Union Ltd ground.
The final squad for the UAE tour will be announced by February 15, with the team expected to depart Dhaka on February 24.
The SAFF champion national women’s team will play two matches against the UAE as part of their preparation for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, set to take place in July in Australia.
The first match, a FIFA-friendly, is scheduled for February 26, followed by an unofficial match on March 2.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
