Bangladesh have qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup after the qualifier match between Bahrain and Turkmenistan ended in a 2-2 draw in Yangon on Wednesday.听
The result ensured that Bangladesh will finish top of Group C, regardless of the outcome of their final match against Turkmenistan on Saturday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Bangladesh defeated Myanmar 2-1 to move closer to qualifying for the 12-team finals scheduled to be held in Australia next year.
The win took their tally to six points from two matches, placing them at the top of the group. Myanmar have three points, while Bahrain and Turkmenistan have one point each.
Having already beaten Bahrain (7-0) and Myanmar, Bangladesh secured a superior head-to-head record. As a result, Peter Butler鈥檚 team will qualify for the Asian Cup irrespective of the final round of group matches.
Bangladesh will be making their first appearance in the Asian Cup, joining the ranks of defending champions China, as well as South Korea and Japan. This tournament will also serve as the qualification rounds for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
In the match against Myanmar, forward Ritu Porna Chakma scored a brace to help Bangladesh take a giant step toward qualifying for the Asian Cup at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon.听
Ritu scored once in either half of the game before substitute midfielder Win Win pulled one goal back for the hosts one minute from the final whistle. The result was significant, as Myanmar is ranked 73 places above Bangladesh (128th) in the FIFA rankings.
Ritu gave Bangladesh the lead in the 19th minute, latching on to a rebound from her own free-kick and then curling the shot past the diving Myanmar goalkeeper Myo Mya Mya Nein.
With the hosts desperately trying to find an equaliser, Ritu struck the fatal blow in the 72nd minute with a superb left-footed chip over the Myanmar keeper from the left side of the box.
It was Ritu鈥檚 third goal in two matches as she scored one in their win over Bahrain.
The hosts pulled one goal back in the 89th minute with Win Win nodding home a low cross from inside the box.
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