Bangladesh head coach Peter Butler expressed pride in the growth of women’s football in the country as he reflected on the team’s journey ahead of their final Group B match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 against Uzbekistan on Monday. Speaking on International Women's Day on Sunday, Butler said he feels honoured to coach the Bangladesh women’s team and praised the players for their resilience and determination despite the many challenges they face. “You shouldn’t ask me that, you’ll make me cry,” Butler said when asked about the progress of women’s football in Bangladesh. “We want to win because we are competitive, but that’s not the only reason we’re here,” Butler said. “The most important thing is the way they’ve participated, the way they’ve handled themselves and embraced professionalism.”Butler hopes the lessons from the tournament will help the players continue to grow and contribute to the development of women’s football in Bangladesh.

Source: Dhaka Tribune March 08, 2026 12:25 UTC