AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Bangladesh edge closer to final round after beating Myanmar

The Bangladesh Women’s Football Team moved within touching distance of their first-ever final round appearance in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, defeating hosts Myanmar 2-1 in a hard-fought Group C encounter at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Ritu Porna Chakma was the star of the match, netting both goals for Bangladesh — one in each half — to secure the memorable victory over Myanmar, ranked 73 places higher, UNB reports. 

With this well-deserved win, Bangladesh not only recorded back-to-back win in the Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time in history the result also served as sweet revenge for their 0-5 defeat to Myanmar in the 2018 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers held in Yangon.

Two-time ASEAN Women’s Champions Myanmar, who have featured in the AFC Asian Cup final round five times, looked off-colour against a spirited and confident Bangladesh side.

With Wednesday’s shock defeat, Myanmar—the top seed in Group C—crashed out of the tournament, having lost the head-to-head encounter against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s place in the final round could be confirmed as early as Wednesday evening if Bahrain and Turkmenistan play out a draw in the day’s second Group C fixture.

The wonder girl from Rangamati, Ritu Porna Chakma, gave Bangladesh the lead in the 18th minute. Her initial free-kick attempt struck the Myanmar defence wall, but Ritu reacted quickest to fire home from the rebound and put Bangladesh 1-0 up.

She doubled Bangladesh’s advantage in the 72nd minute with a brilliant angular left-footed strike from inside the box.

Myanmar managed a late consolation through substitute midfielder Win Win, who scored in the 89th minute, but Bangladesh held firm to secure the historic win.

Bangladesh will face Turkmenistan in their final Group C match at 6:30 pm (BST) on July 5, also at Thuwunna Stadium.

The outcome will have no bearing on Bangladesh’s position if they are confirmed as group champions by Wednesday night.

The champion of Group C will earn direct qualification to the final round of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Australia next year.