The Bangladesh women's football team surprised the world in the beginning of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Peter James Butler's team started the Group C match by crushing Bahrain, which is 36 places ahead in the FIFA rankings, by 7-0.
The red-green representatives showed great dominance by scoring 5 goals in the first half of the match held in Yangon of Myanmar on Sunday. They scored two more goals in the second half to seal the victory.
Bangladesh presented an attacking football from the first minute. Shamsunnahar Junior scored a chip shot after controlling a long ball coming from midfield in the 10th minute. Five minutes later, Rituparna Chakma doubled the lead with a curved shot after catching a cross pass from Swapna Rani.
In the 40th minute, a goal opportunity was created from a corner by Monika, which defender Kohati Kisku tapped into the net. Tahura Khatun scored a pair of goals in added time in the first half. The first was due to a mistake by the opponent, the second was due to a cutback by Shamsunnahar Junior.
Bangladesh remained in rhythm even after the break. In the 60th minute, Shamsunnahar's tap-in resulted in an own goal that came through Rawan Al Ali's foot. Then in the 74th minute, Munki Akhter made the scoreline 7-0 with a solo run.
In the end, substitute Sagarika's goal was disallowed for offside. And a shot by Tahura hit the crossbar; so the difference did not increase any further.
Bangladesh will face hosts Myanmar in their second match on Wednesday. Myanmar defeated Turkmenistan 8-0 in their first match.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
