AFC Women's Asian Cup
Milicic, a former head coach of Australia, knows the heavy pressure on his shoulders as he looks to guide the defending champions through a tough group stage.
“We are happy with our preparations since arriving in Australia,” said Milicic. “Bangladesh are first timers in a major tournament and are doing well with their style of play, so they do not have pressure.
“There's always pressure when you’re working for the Chinese national team. At the same time, we can’t look too much ahead, we just have to look at the first game and take it game by game. This is a very different tournament to four years ago that was held during Covid times.”
“There's always pressure when you’re working for the Chinese national team. At the same time, we can’t look too much ahead, we just have to look at the first game and take it game by game. This is a very different tournament to four years ago that was held during Covid times.”
Despite being the overwhelming favourites to secure an opening win, Milicic will not be taking lightly the challenge of Bangladesh.
The 51-year-old Australian tactician is leaving no stone unturned as defending champions China PR look to meet the high expectations from back home.
“We do our analysis and we treat every opponent with respect. They are a young team and Mr Butler has done a good job with them. They got here by beating Myanmar in front of a big crowd, which is a testament to their quality."
The 51-year-old Australian tactician is leaving no stone unturned as defending champions China PR look to meet the high expectations from back home.
“We do our analysis and we treat every opponent with respect. They are a young team and Mr Butler has done a good job with them. They got here by beating Myanmar in front of a big crowd, which is a testament to their quality."
“Lots of respect for them but our firm focus is on what we can do and hopefully, get a positive performance.
“We have our own expectations and our expectations are high. We’re fully aware of this and we know what it means to the people back home and hopefully we can make everyone proud.”
“We have our own expectations and our expectations are high. We’re fully aware of this and we know what it means to the people back home and hopefully we can make everyone proud.”
.jpg?w=2400&q=80)
For Bangladesh, there is already a sense of achievement by qualifying for the tournament and as they prepare to make their first bow on the continental stage, there will be no shift of principles.
Under Butler, Bangladesh have looked to the new generation with 11 teenagers in the 26-player squad, with none over the age of 24.
“We arrived here for the most historic game in the Bangladesh women's game,” said Butler. “The girls did well to qualify and we’re here to set the footprint and foundation for future events because these are the events that you want to compete in.
“Nobody expected us to turn Myanmar over. They are a lot higher than us in the rankings. Expectations were realistic, we were playing in the lion’s den. That was a culmination of many weeks of training and preparations. I think we surprised a lot of people.”
Under Butler, Bangladesh have looked to the new generation with 11 teenagers in the 26-player squad, with none over the age of 24.
“We arrived here for the most historic game in the Bangladesh women's game,” said Butler. “The girls did well to qualify and we’re here to set the footprint and foundation for future events because these are the events that you want to compete in.
“Nobody expected us to turn Myanmar over. They are a lot higher than us in the rankings. Expectations were realistic, we were playing in the lion’s den. That was a culmination of many weeks of training and preparations. I think we surprised a lot of people.”
While Butler knows his team will be up against the odds against China PR, the Englishman is determined not to alter their brave attacking style of play.
“We are mixing with the big girls now. We have to be realistic and pragmatic about what we want to achieve. I honestly believe that we come here with not huge expectations but realistic ambitions.
“They are a really good team. They are well coached. It’s David vs Goliath. We are not at their level but football is a funny game.
“We’ll have a game plan and whatever the result, it will be how we want to play. We will not be parking the bus whatever the result because that’s not how we play.”
“We are mixing with the big girls now. We have to be realistic and pragmatic about what we want to achieve. I honestly believe that we come here with not huge expectations but realistic ambitions.
“They are a really good team. They are well coached. It’s David vs Goliath. We are not at their level but football is a funny game.
“We’ll have a game plan and whatever the result, it will be how we want to play. We will not be parking the bus whatever the result because that’s not how we play.”
Trivia
● China PR have never never lost their opening match at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (W14 D2).
● The defending champions are undefeated across their last 11 group stage matches at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (W9 D2), conceding just a single goal across those fixtures, while Bangladesh will be featuring at the tournament for the first time – the second year there has been a debutant after there were none in the previous five.
● Bangladesh have become the 23rd different team to be represented at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup; the last team to progress beyond the group stage in their first participation in the competition are China PR who went on to win the 1986 edition.
● China PR have scored an average of 4.9 goals per game at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the most of any team in tournament history, while their 0.5 goals conceded per game are also the fewest of any team to play more than five games at the tournament.
China PR v Bangladesh
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium (Sydney)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:00 (UTC+11)
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium (Sydney)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:00 (UTC+11)
Related News
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
Preview - Group B: DPR Korea v Uzbekistan
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
Khandaker vows to make Bangladesh proud
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
Karachik ready to lead Uzbekistan’s return
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
Australia’s Montemurro focuses on positives; Torcaso proud of Philippines' effort
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
#WAC2026 breaks attendance record in dazzling opening ceremony
Item 1 of 5