FOOTBALL – BAHRAIN’S women’s football national team suffered a heavy 0-7 defeat to Bangladesh yesterday in their opening match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
The Bahrainis conceded five goals in the first half and had an improved showing over the final 45 minutes in a valiant effort to put up a challenge.
Both Bahrain and Bangladesh are in Group C of the qualification competition. In yesterday’s other divisional clash, hosts Myanmar enjoyed a stunning 8-0 victory against Turkmenistan.
The two fixtures took place at Thuwunna Stadium in the city of Yangon.
Bahrain are looking to secure an historic first-ever berth in the prestigious Asian Football Confederation (AFC) women’s competition, which is set to take place in March of next year in Australia, but yesterday’s loss was a big blow.
They must win their last two qualifying matches and hope that other results go in their favour. The nationals are back in action against Turkmenistan on Wednesday before going up against Myanmar in their concluding fixture on Saturday. Both those games are scheduled for 12.30pm kick-offs, Bahrain time.
“It was a very tough game – Bangladesh are a great team; unfortunately, I know our team could have played so much better, but this is football at the end of the day,” Bahrain substitute Farah Khaled said after the match.
“I hope we learn from our mistakes in this game. It was an eye-opener for us to see what the rest of our opponents are in the upcoming matches – they are not going to be easy, and we want to fight and to put our best.
“We are here to represent our country, and we always want to put our whole passion and soul into it.”
Bahrain head coach Mohammed Adnan had a starting 11 that included Khulood Abdulla in goal, and Eman Alkhattal, Fatema Alnesuf, Rawan Alali, Amira Sowar, Alyaa Almudhahki, Manar Yaqoob, Leleya Sabkar, Sama Qasem, Manayer Ahmed Thani, and Hessa Alisa.
Bahrain’s defence was made to work early as Bangladesh threatened from the start. They went ahead in the 10th minute after Shamsunnahar scored on a one-on-one with Abdulla after being released by a brilliant pass from Sapna Rani on the right wing. She outsprinted Bahrain’s Yaqoob before lobbing the ball over Abdulla to put her team in front.
The Bahrainis tried to reply immediately and Alkhattal had a deflected shot from nearly 30 yards out fly inches by the left post.
Ritu Porna Chakma then hit a stunning left-footed strike from an acute angle to put her team up 2-0 in the 15th minute. The Bangladeshis then took command of the contest, scoring thrice more leading up to the break. Kohati Kisku tapped in from close range in the 40th minute and then seven minutes later Tohura Khatun scored from inside the box. Khatun made it 5-0 in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time after a brilliant one-two with Shamsunnahar.
Starting the second half, Abdulla made a great stop against Shamsunnahar to prevent the Bangladeshis from extending their advantage.
Bahrain substitute Alanood Almannaei then had a chance on a one-on-one with Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma, but she was prevented from getting a shot off. In the 60th minute, Bahrain went down 0-6 following an Alali own goal following a stunning cross from Manda to Shamsunnahar. The victors then pegged the final score through substitute Most Munki Akhter in the 74th minute, slotting home with a show of individual skill.
Bahrain’s Alisa had a great chance in the 67th minute to put her team on the scoresheet, but her shot under pressure was saved.
The rest of the kingdom’s 21-player roster in Myanmar features Khaled, Almannaei, Shooq Mohamed Fares, Eman Ramadhan, Jawaher Leqmani, Ameena Aldoseri, Fatema Mohamed Salman, Noora Marzooq, and goalkeepers Shooq Alalwani and Yasmeen Al Yaqoobi.
Bahrain are one of 34 women’s national teams in qualifying, divided into eight groups. Each is being held at a centralised location, and the group winners will all punch their tickets to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))