AFC Women's Asian Cup
Despite the vast difference in achievement and FIFA rankings, head coach Ri Song Ho is not underestimating Bangladesh’s challenge and is demanding full concentration from his players in the bid to build on their opening 3-0 win against Uzbekistan.
“We won the first match but the remaining matches are equally important to us,” said Ri. “It’s a chance for us to keep improving ourselves and we are focused on our training in order to get the best possible result.
“I saw the match between China (PR) and Bangladesh. Bangladesh were better and stronger than I expected. Their attacking lines were very fast with quick transitions so we have to be more aware of our defending lines.”
“I saw the match between China (PR) and Bangladesh. Bangladesh were better and stronger than I expected. Their attacking lines were very fast with quick transitions so we have to be more aware of our defending lines.”
DPR Korea sit top of the standings ahead of China PR - who defeated Bangladesh 2-0 - but despite the possibility of the group winners being determined by goal difference, chasing goals against Bangladesh is not the approach Ri wants for his team.
“I understand how the group is as there could be a situation where a draw in the third match could see the group being decided on goal difference.
“But this is not our preferred strategy because we want to win every game. So we don’t approach this match with the mindset that we have to improve our goal difference.”
“I understand how the group is as there could be a situation where a draw in the third match could see the group being decided on goal difference.
“But this is not our preferred strategy because we want to win every game. So we don’t approach this match with the mindset that we have to improve our goal difference.”
#WAC2026 - Preview: Group Stage Matchday Two
Bangladesh head coach Peter Butler is hopeful for another enterprising display from his charges after the battling performance against defending champions China PR on Tuesday as the tournament debutants continue to pick up valuable experience.
“We’re going to face a very strong team,” said Butler. “You look at where they are in terms of their FIFA rankings, they are probably one of the favourites for the tournament.
“We’ve got to be on top of our game but we are under no illusion that it’s a tall order to win this game. It’s about being the best of one's self, if we do that, we can win a few hearts and minds from the stands.
“All I want is to come here and be true to ourselves. We are an emerging team and we are in a situation where we are up against three good teams. We are where we are and we have to accept the way things roll.”
“We’re going to face a very strong team,” said Butler. “You look at where they are in terms of their FIFA rankings, they are probably one of the favourites for the tournament.
“We’ve got to be on top of our game but we are under no illusion that it’s a tall order to win this game. It’s about being the best of one's self, if we do that, we can win a few hearts and minds from the stands.
“All I want is to come here and be true to ourselves. We are an emerging team and we are in a situation where we are up against three good teams. We are where we are and we have to accept the way things roll.”
Butler also explained the reasoning behind the composition of his young squad, using Australia 2026 as part of the build-up for Bangladesh heading into the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ in April.
“Half the team can play Under-20s, the reason I did that was because we knew we were going to Thailand. Competing at the SAFF (South Asia) level is completely different.
“The quality of the training pitches at this level is by far and way superior. The quality of the people you play against as well. All of us can learn a lot from these kinds of tournaments.”
“Half the team can play Under-20s, the reason I did that was because we knew we were going to Thailand. Competing at the SAFF (South Asia) level is completely different.
“The quality of the training pitches at this level is by far and way superior. The quality of the people you play against as well. All of us can learn a lot from these kinds of tournaments.”
Trivia
● DPR Korea are unbeaten in their last 11 games when facing an opponent for the first time in the competition (W10 D1), with a goalless draw (vs Australia) in their most recent such game.
● DPR Korea have won their first two games of a campaign in each of their last six participations.
● Following their defeat to China PR in their debut game at the AFC Women’s Asia Cup, Bangladesh will look to avoid becoming the 12th side to lose each of their first two matches in the competition; the last team to lose each of their first two games in the competition were Jordan (in 2014).
● Myong Yu Jong (DPR Korea) became the first player in the ongoing tournament to register a hat-trick (vs Uzbekistan on 3 March 2026); in fact, two of her three goals were from penalties, making DPR Korea just the second team at the last three editions to score multiple goals from the penalty spot (Australia, 2 vs Indonesia in 2022).
Bangladesh v DPR Korea
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium (Sydney)
Kick-off: Friday, 13:00 (UTC+11)
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium (Sydney)
Kick-off: Friday, 13:00 (UTC+11)
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