Bangladesh national women’s football team coach Peter Butler wants to focus on learning rather than results as his charges take on FIFA 11th-ranked side North Korea in their Group F opening match of the 20th Asian Games at the Nagai Stadium, Osaka, in Japan today.
The match is scheduled to begin at 1:00pm Bangladesh Standard Time.
Butler was pragmatic about Bangladesh’s chances as they earlier suffered a 5-0 defeat to North Korea on their debut at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Sydney, Australia, in March 2026.
‘We played them last time in the Asian Cup, and we got beaten 5-0. I think the expectation is learning more than the results,’ said Butler in the pre-match press conference on Sunday.
‘We have to be honest and pragmatic with regard to what we wish for. We do wish for credibility, good performance, and positive performance from tomorrow (Monday),’ said the English coach.
Butler hailed North Korea and South Korea and expected tough matches against them but remained hopeful against the 55th-ranked Myanmar.
‘In general, we have come here with realistic ambitions, knowing well where we are playing in. The tournament and a group, which is blessed with the two best teams in Asian football,’ said the Englishman.
‘North Korea and South Korea, who are higher ranked than us as well… I already know it’s going to be very tough, but we are enjoying being abroad with a group of young girls,’ he replied to a query.
‘We are going to play against the Korean team, which is blessed with really, really good players… I have a great deal of respect for how they go about their business… We are here to experience, learn, and have the opportunity for girls to represent them, and let’s see what that takes us in the last game, which is against Myanmar,’ Butler added.
Bangladesh will play South Korea on September 17 before facing Myanmar on September 21.
Bangladesh reached Japan on Saturday after a 10-day training camp in Guanzon, China, leaving home on August 31.
The 12-team women’s football event starts five days before the multi-sport continental games, scheduled to begin on September 19.
Each team plays the others once in the group stage, and the top two teams from each group, alongside the two best third-place teams, advance to the knockout stage.
Though the multi-sport continental games will begin on September 19, the women’s football event is scheduled to begin on September 14.
Bangladesh made their debut under coach Saiful Bari Titu in 2022. They suffered defeats against the defending champions, Japan 8-0 and Vietnam 6-1, and managed a 1-1 draw against Nepal in that event.
