China not taking Bangladesh lightly

China's Australian coach Ante Milicic believes North Korea may pose the biggest threat to China in the group stage but didn't want to take Bangladesh lightly in the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Sydney.

Bangladesh, who were placed along with nine-time champions China, three-time champions North Korea and Uzbekistan, will mark their debut appearance in the AFC Women's Asian Cup by taking on China on March 3.

"Each opponent will be tough. Everyone these days is getting fitter and more organised," Ante Milicic told Australia-based ABC News. "You have to respect your first opponent, Bangladesh, it's the first time they've ever been to an Asian Cup."

Australian-born Ante Milicic guided Australia's women's team, the Matildas, to the last 16 at the 2019 FIFA World Cup and took over the reins of China's national team in 2024.

"[North Korea are] so incredibly strong in those youth age groups, so it'll be interesting to see how they transfer that to the senior team," said Milicic, who, however, was at pains to point out and his team will be taking it one match at a time.

Meanwhile, taking on China in their opening match is shaping up to be an uphill task for Bangladesh, whose preparation was seemingly not the best before leaving Dhaka for Sydney.

English coach Peter Butler had trained his charges for four sessions in Sydney before playing a closed-door warm-up match against Western Sydney Wanderers Women's FC on Wednesday.

Though Butler did not disclose the result of that practice match where all 26 players in the squad took part, it has been learned that the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Bangladesh would be hoping to offer a fight against defending champions China, who have, however, been struggling since being eliminated from the group stage of 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.