All high hopes with the Bangladesh Under-20 women’s football team ended when they suffered a 6-1 defeat at the hands of South Korea in the AFC Women’s U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers on Sunday.
Held at the Lao National Stadium, Bangladesh despite taking lead failed keep up the momentum, as after a one all draw in the opening 45 minutes, conceded four more goals in the second half. Bangladesh was just within a touching distance to make history with qualifying in the U-20 Women's Asian Cup but Peter Butler’s disciples kept the hope alive up to first half when they ended the first half on 1-1 draw and they also needed simply a draw with Korea.
The women in Red and Green fought almost evenly in the first half but could not play in the same fashion as one of the Asian powerhouses Korea took the full domination and destroy dreams of advancing to the final round.
It was speculated that it would be an uphill task to cross the tough hurdle but after taking the early lead it looked very much within the reach of Peter Butler's charges. But the mighty Korean women appeared with their real approach and Bangladesh could not deal with the mighty Koreans charge. Bangladesh started the match positively and took an early lead through Krisna Rani Sarkar, but much higher-ranked team and with much more technical superiority, Korea soon scored the equaliser.
The defeat ended Bangladesh's eight-match winning streak at this level, came as a bit of a reality check for Peter Butler's charges, who found it hard playing their own game for the first time in a long time.
Bangladesh drew the first blood in the very second minute of the game but star striker Mosammat Sagorika failed to utilise the glorious opportunity to open the scoring havimg Korean custodian one-on-one situation. But her strike partner Trishna, found the net on 15th minute with a tap-in following a rebound on a shot from Shanti Mardi.
In fact some of the early goals from the Koreans came from long balls over the high-line three-player defence of Bangladesh, Butler had to ditch soon for a 4-4-1-1 formation.
That change of formation did not help Bangladesh much as the Koreans, ranked 21st in the world, completely dominated over helpless Bangladesh side, taking the score from 1-1 to 6-1.
Bangladesh goalkeeper Swarna Rani Mondal made some outstanding saves otherwise the margin of defeat could have been bigger.
The top teams from the eight groups alongside three best runners-up finishers will go through to the final round, joining hosts Thailand as the 12th team.
