Bangladesh’s preparations for upcoming international fixtures against Jordan and Indonesia have been affected by the delayed start of the women’s league in Bhutan. Due to the late kickoff, several players had to return to Dhaka after just one match to join the national training camp.
Five players — Rituparna Chakma, Maria Manda, Rupna Chakma, Monika Chakma, and senior Shamsunnahar — have returned to Dhaka and will join the national camp under coach Paul Peter Butler.
However, some key players, including Sabina Khatun, Sanjida Akter, Krishna Rani Sarkar, Masura Parveen, and Matsushima Sumaiya, have remained in Bhutan. Coach Butler has chosen not to include them in the national squad for now, despite the resolution of a previous standoff. It appears he is still hesitant to fully reintegrate them.
Sabina showcased her dominance in Bhutan by scoring 9 goals in a single match for Paro FC, while Monika added 7, Rituparna 4, and Sumaiya 5. Apart from Sanjida, Shamsunnahar, and goalkeeper Rupna, most of the players found the net in their opening match.
Earlier this year, 10 players from Bhutan, along with 8 others, had boycotted training under Butler in January. The conflict was resolved by mid-February, but Butler went on to field a team without them for two matches against the UAE. The final squad for the Jordan tour will be announced one or two days before departure.
Bangladesh will face Jordan in Amman on May 31 and Indonesia on June 3 — both matches seen as vital preparation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, scheduled from June 29 to July 5 in Myanmar. Bangladesh has been drawn into a group featuring hosts Myanmar, Bahrain, and Turkmenistan.
