‘A real footballing lesson’: Butler on Bangladesh’s heavy loss to North Korea
Three-time champions North Korea continued their ruthless start to the Women’s Asian Cup with a 5-0 victory over Bangladesh in Group B at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Friday.
“It was a complete mismatch,” Bangladesh coach Peter Butler said after the game.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. “We played an absolutely fantastic team today, probably one of the best, if not the best, in Asian football. We could not compete with them, and it’s not a disgrace to be beaten 5-0, 6-0, or 7-0. I can’t criticise the girls; they gave everything they had.”
The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time when Myong Yu Jong converted a penalty, adding to her goal tally after scoring a hattrick against Uzbekistan. Two minutes later, Kim Kyong Yong doubled the lead.
“Even if you look at North Korea’s athletic profile... their physical presence, we just couldn’t contain it. Some of our girls wilted in the sun, and we didn’t do ourselves justice,” added Butler.
The second half saw further dominance from the Koreans. Goals from Kim, Chae Un Yong, and Kim Hye Yong extended the margin to 5-0. Bangladesh goalkeeper Mile Akter produced a string of saves, prompting Butler to praise her efforts: “Mile is a real character.
“She’s a soldier, with soft tenacity and enthusiasm. She was really put to the sword today and deserves every opportunity. She has a bright future if she keeps her feet on the ground.”
On the experience gap, Butler reflected: “We were given a real footballing lesson. In terms of strength and technical ability, they were streets ahead of us. We have to be honest with ourselves. I’m proud of what the girls have done, and it’s clear we have a long way to go, but they are a smashing bunch of girls.”
With North Korea are all but through to the quarterfinals, Bangladesh will play Uzbekistan on March 9 in Perth, hoping for a favourable result that will put the women in red and green in contention for a place in the last eight on the virtue of being one of the two best third-placed team from Group A, B, and C.
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