Butler Blames Defence After Bangladesh Women’s Hard-Fought 4-2 Win
Bangladesh Women’s Narrow Victory
The Bangladesh women’s football team secured a hard-fought 4-2 win against Bhutan in their second FIFA friendly match at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on Saturday. Despite the victory, coach Peter Butler expressed strong criticism of his team’s defensive performance.
Defensive Issues Highlighted
Bangladesh, the reigning SAFF women’s champions, had previously dominated Bhutan with a 5-1 win in their first friendly match. However, their performance in the second game fell short of expectations as they went two goals down before making a comeback. Butler’s frustration was evident as he highlighted the team’s defensive weaknesses.
Match Highlights
The match started poorly for Bangladesh when they conceded a goal in the 15th minute. Deki Lhazom capitalized on a defensive lapse, scoring after a cross from Bhutan’s skipper Pema Tshering. The visitors’ situation worsened when Lhazom doubled Bhutan’s lead seven minutes later, exploiting a defensive error.
Butler, who had defended his team’s performance after the first match, admitted that their physical disadvantage and Bhutan’s direct style of play caused problems. “I thought we defended very, very poorly,” Butler said. Despite dominating possession with around 75-80 percent, Bangladesh struggled with Bhutan’s direct play.
Bangladesh’s Comeback
Coach Butler made tactical adjustments, including substituting Sapna Rani with midfielder Maria Manda. Bangladesh began to regain control, with captain Sabina Khatun scoring in the 35th minute. Sabina’s clever finish followed a long ball from Masura Parvin. Mosammat Sagorika then equalized with a well-placed chip, assisted by Sabina and Matsushima Sumaya.
Sagorika missed two opportunities early in the second half, but substitute Ritu Porna Chakma’s deflected shot gave Bangladesh a lead in the 62nd minute. Chakma secured the win with her second goal in the 86th minute, ensuring Bangladesh maintained their perfect record against Bhutan.
Coach’s Reflection
Butler acknowledged Bhutan’s improvement, despite his team’s lackluster performance. “I think you have to give credit where it’s due. They’ve improved,” Butler said. He stressed the importance of strong defensive play, noting that failing to defend resolutely would expose the team to risks.
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