The Bangladesh women's football team vowed to reach even greater heights after securing their maiden Asian Cup berth in Myanmar recently.听
Bangladesh qualified for the continental tournament that will be held in Australia next year by topping Group C in qualifiers after thrashing Bahrain 7-0 in their opener and beating hosts Myanmar 2-1 before making a perfect finish with a 7-0 win over Turkmenistan.
The women鈥檚 team landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 2:00am early Monday, where they were received by Bangladesh Football Federation officials, including president Tabith Awal.
In a celebration organised by the BFF, the team was welcomed at Dhaka's Hatirjheel Amphitheatre, where fans gathered to hail their national heroes.
鈥楾his is a moment we will never forget,鈥� said captain Afeida Khandakar. 鈥楶lease pray that we can achieve even greater things. Our dream is not limited to South Asia 鈥� we want to take Bangladesh to the global stage.鈥�
Midfielder Ritu Porna Chakma, the top goal scorer with five goals for Bangladesh, said the team's unity helped them to 鈥榝ight through adversity鈥�. 听听
鈥榃e are here today because of teamwork 鈥� football is not a sport based on individual brilliance. We know how to fight through adversity. Please keep believing in us. We will not let you down. Our goal is to take Bangladesh beyond Asia, to the world stage.鈥�
Head coach Peter Butler also praised the players鈥� performance and expressed gratitude for the support by fans.
Speaking on the occasion with the players, coaching staff and fans present, Tabith said. 鈥楴ot only on behalf of Bangladesh, but also on behalf of all Bangladeshis and all women across the world, we thank you.鈥�
The BFF boss labelled them as agents of societal change and stated they will provide full support to the team in the Asian Cup.
听鈥榊ou are rewriting history, and you are taking the journey of changing society's thinking forward.鈥�
鈥楤ecause of the women's football team, the world is seeing Bangladesh in a new light. We are no longer a country of floods and calamities. We are a footballing nation. We are a nation of women's equality and women's empowerment.
鈥榃e will extend all sorts of prayers and experience and expertise to support you. Please carry on. We have one commitment, one slogan, one tagline: Mission Australia.鈥�
The Asian Cup will feature 12 teams, including elites such as Japan, China, and South Korea.听
The tournament will serve as the qualifying event for both the 2027 FIFA Women鈥檚 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
The top six teams will book a direct place at the World Cup, while the top eight will advance to the Olympics.
Teams finishing seventh and eighth will have another chance at World Cup qualification through intercontinental playoffs.
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