Bangladesh’s women’s soccer team faced a tough 5-1 loss against Thailand in their final FIFA international friendly at the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Bang Mod, Bangkok, on Monday. Despite playing with a high defensive line, the Bangladesh team struggled with slow movements at the back, allowing Thailand’s speedy and precise attacks to repeatedly break through. The hosts, ranked 51 spots higher than Bangladesh in the FIFA standings, showcased their dominance in both matches, following a 3-0 win in the first encounter with another convincing victory.
These friendly matches were part of Bangladesh’s preparations for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, emphasizing the significant gap between Bangladesh and the top Asian nations. Head coach Peter Butler, a British national, now faces the challenge of shoring up the team’s defense and enhancing their physical conditioning as they gear up for the Asian Cup in Australia in March.
After expressing concerns about his players’ mindset following the initial defeat, Butler appeared more content after the team’s final training session before the second match. Nevertheless, he cautioned about Thailand’s prowess as former Women’s Asian Cup champions, having reached the tournament’s final round 17 times.
Despite making some tactical adjustments, Butler stuck with his preferred high-line defense strategy, which backfired as Thailand’s faster and stronger forwards consistently exploited Bangladesh’s defense, scoring three goals within the first 35 minutes. The Thai team capitalized on spaces behind Bangladesh’s defense through long passes and sharp through balls, leaving defenders Afeida Khandakar, Kohati Kisku, and Sheuli Azim struggling to cope. Goalkeeper Rupna Chakma frequently had to rush off her line to prevent further damage.
While Bangladesh attempted to create opportunities through winger Ritu Porna Chakma’s efforts, they found it challenging to penetrate Thailand’s solid defense. Despite some long-range attempts, Bangladesh couldn’t trouble the opposition much, although Shamsunnahar Jr’s header provided a rare moment of positivity for the forwards.
Despite the significant defeat, Butler maintained a positive outlook on his team’s performance and potential. In a post-match video message, he acknowledged the vast difference in levels between the two teams, praising Thailand’s strength and fitness. He commended his players for their effort and resilience, emphasizing the need to address challenges faced due to limited resources and training facilities. Butler remained optimistic about overcoming the identified issues and moving forward positively, highlighting the importance of addressing shortcomings and finding solutions.