Bangladesh women start Asian Games with 10-0 loss

Collected Photo

Bangladesh suffered their heaviest defeat in women’s football history after being thrashed 10-0 by North Korea in their opening match of the Asian Games on Monday (September 14).

The defeat comes after Bangladesh’s disappointing campaigns in the AFC Asian Cup and SAFF Championship. Their previous biggest loss was a 9-0 defeat to Thailand in 2013.

Head coach Peter Butler had said he wanted to give younger players an opportunity, leaving regulars Rituparna Chakma, Monika Chakma, Shuli Azim and Shamsunnahar on the bench. He instead started youngsters including Momita Khatun, Arpita Biswas and Survi Afrin.

However, the decision proved costly against a dominant North Korean side, who scored seven goals in the first half to effectively put the game beyond Bangladesh’s reach.

Jon Ryong Jong scored twice in the fifth and 10th minutes before North Korea added five more goals before the break.

Rai Song made it 8-0 in the 51st minute, while Jong Jong scored in the 60th. Two late goals completed the 10-0 rout.

Rituparna and Monika were brought on in the second half, but North Korea remained firmly in control.

Bangladesh will face South Korea in their next Group F match on Thursday.