Butler cautions against ‘cricket-score margins’ as Bangladesh face Asian Cup reality

Bangladesh women’s football team coach Peter Butler has admitted his side head into their maiden AFC Asian Cup appearance undercooked and playing “catch-up”, warning that only their very best will prevent “cricket-score margins” against Asia’s elites. 

For Bangladesh, the Asian Cup dream is real. But as Butler made clear, so too is the gulf in class. 

Drawn in a daunting Group B alongside nine-time champions China, three-time winners North Korea, and Uzbekistan, the 112th-ranked Bangladesh side will fly to Australia in the early hours of Friday. They open their campaign against China in Sydney on March 3 in the 12-team tournament. 

The top two teams from each of the three groups and the two best third-placed sides will advance to the quarterfinals. But on paper, Bangladesh face the toughest test in their history, with ninth-ranked North Korea and 17th-ranked China towering above them in the FIFA standings. 

Even 49th-ranked Uzbekistan, seemingly their most realistic shot at points, are “technically and physically far superior”, according to Butler. 

“That (qualification into the quarters) is all hypothetical. Do not underestimate Uzbekistan,” Butler said at a press conference on Thursday when asked if beating them could secure a last-eight berth. “We have to be on our game not only against them but also against teams like Korea and China to avoid a cricket score margin. Anyone who thinks we are currently qualifying for World Cups needs to wake up and smell the roses. Let’s take it one step at a time rather than having visions of grandeur.”

There is, however, huge incentive. Six teams will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while two more can reach the global showpiece via inter-confederation playoffs. 

Bangladesh begin against China on March 3, face North Korea on March 6 and conclude their group campaign against Uzbekistan on March 9. 

Yet preparations have fallen short of expectations. After qualification, the Bangladesh Football Federation announced plans for six international matches and an overseas camp. Instead, the team managed only four matches against Thailand, Malaysia and Azerbaijan, training intensively in KEPZ rather than abroad, while players featured in a month-long domestic league. 

“There have been many untruths spoken about our preparation,” Butler said. “I’m not pointing fingers, but we came in with a plan that has not worked and we are now playing catch-up. We didn’t properly anticipate or invest in the necessary fixtures and camps. I live in the real world and must take responsibility.” 

The squad will now undergo a six-day camp, including a February 26 practice match against Australian outfit Western Wanderers, before the tournament proper. 

Much of the squad is under 20, prompting Butler to rethink his usual attacking philosophy. “We will have to modify our approach,” he said. “If you go there with a cavalier mindset thinking you can just press and attack these teams, you are in for the shock of your lives. When you play top teams and make mistakes, you get severely punished.”

Admitting the team are “not fully prepared”, Butler also cited fatigue, 4G pitches, and lingering injuries as concerns -- even revealing that even the team physiotherapist recently underwent appendix surgery.