Butler Applauds Maria, Monika; China Surprised by Mili

In their debut match at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Bangladesh put up a spirited fight against reigning champions China but ultimately fell 2-0. Despite the loss, Bangladesh’s head coach, Peter Butler, praised the performance of his youthful squad, noting that the 19-20-year-old players displayed remarkable resilience against a more experienced Chinese side.

China’s coach, Ante Milicic, was pleased with his team’s victory but expressed mild dissatisfaction with the narrow goal margin. He also took a moment to commend Bangladesh, particularly goalkeeper Mili Akter, whose presence in goal surprised him. Milicic said, “I was surprised to see Mili in the starting eleven, but she performed exceptionally well.”

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Milicic added, “There was no pressure from Bangladesh; they played freely. Scoring two goals without conceding is satisfactory for the first match. Such outcomes are normal for an opener.”

Earlier, in a pre-match press briefing, Milicic had singled out several Bangladeshi players for their skills. “I was particularly impressed with number 17, Rituporna Chakma, number 6, Monika Chakma, and number 8, Maria Manda,” he noted.

Coach Butler, for his part, expressed pride in his team’s fighting spirit. “China is one of Asia’s top teams, perhaps the very best, and reigning champions. While they won, I congratulate them. Our girls played with courage and gave their best,” he said.

Butler emphasised that his instructions were not merely defensive. He encouraged the team to play with confidence and showcase their natural skills on the field. “I told the girls before the match to give their all and prove their abilities. That’s exactly what they did,” he said.

The coach also highlighted the performance of young goalkeeper Mili Akter, who replaced Rupna Chakma at the last moment and made several key saves. “Mili was outstanding today. I am not afraid to make such changes, and I’m pleased we were not dishonoured,” Butler added.

Despite financial and infrastructural limitations, Butler expressed satisfaction with his team’s progress. “We do not have the luxuries or resources of other teams, but we make the most of what we have. Over the past two and a half years, our standard of football has risen significantly.”

The following table summarises the standout performances from Bangladesh in the match:

Butler concluded that the match, although not a win, was a major milestone. “Coaching these girls is a privilege. This tournament gives them a platform to demonstrate their abilities and will aid in their future growth. We have overcome challenges to reach here; now, we must rise and continue to progress.”