Anika dedicates ‘special’ goal to country

Anika Rania Siddiqui dedicated her maiden international goal to the nation after Bangladesh registered a 4-2 win over Maldives in their opening match of the 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship in Goa on Thursday night.

The Sweden-based forward was drafted into the starting eleven for only the second time after playing Bangladesh’s final AFC Women’s Asian Cup match against Uzbekistan in Australia in March.

She had played on the right wing against Uzbekistan without much impact. Switched to the number nine position instead of the wing against Maldives on Thursday, she found the net in just 11 seconds.

“Obviously, it feels special for me because it is my first goal for the national team and I’m obviously very happy,” Anika expressed her reaction at the mixed zone of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on her way to the team bus.

Anika’s goal came after Maldives lost possession straight from kick-off, allowing Bangladesh to break quickly as Rituporna Chakma surged down the flank and delivered a low cross, which Anika calmly placed beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

“It’s for the country, for the people,” the 21-year-old said on her first international strike.

Anika was later replaced by Tahura Khatun in the 60th minute after Maldives staged a comeback to level the score 2-2 in the 54th minute.

Asked why the game became tougher despite a brilliant start, Anika said: “I think we lost a bit of focus and were not as sharp as we were at the start.”

The promising forward also believes the team need to improve their finishing in attack.

“We’re lacking both finishing and crossing, so that’s something we have to work on,” said Anika, who did not reveal much about their plans for the next match against India, insisting they are taking one game at a time.