Bangladesh’s Asian Cup journey with Anika

Bangladesh is set to make its eagerly awaited debut on the main stage of the Women’s Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Australia this March. The excitement within the national women’s football team has reached new heights as the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) finalised a 26-member squad on Monday. The biggest surprise of the selection is the inclusion of Sweden-based midfielder Anika Rania Siddiqui, whose presence is expected to strengthen the team’s midfield considerably.

Anika’s selection had been the subject of much discussion for several months. Before officially joining the squad, she underwent a trial in Dhaka, where she impressed the coaches with her skill and tactical awareness. Having developed her game under European conditions, Anika is anticipated to bring a higher level of discipline, stamina, and vision to the midfield, offering valuable support both defensively and offensively.

The squad also features top scorers from domestic and regional competitions, including Alpi Akter, who netted 25 goals in the ongoing Women’s Football League and scored seven goals in the most recent SAFF Under-19 Championship.

In goal, Rupna Chakma will share duties with Swarna Rani Mondal and Mili Akter. The defensive line includes experienced players Shiouli Azim and Shamsunnahar Senior, while the midfield will see coordination among Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Rituporna Chakma, and Anika. The attacking responsibilities will fall primarily on Tahura Khatun, Shamsunnahar Junior, and emerging forward Sagrika. The team will be led by captain Afeeda Khandakar, whose leadership is expected to guide the side through the challenging competition.

Bangladesh has been drawn into Group B, facing three of Asia’s powerhouses: China, North Korea, and Uzbekistan. The campaign will kick off against China on 3 March, followed by matches against North Korea on 6 March and Uzbekistan on 9 March.

Bangladesh Women’s Asian Cup Squad

With a mix of domestic talent and overseas-trained players, Bangladesh will be hoping to make a memorable mark on their Asian Cup debut, testing themselves against some of the continent’s strongest sides. The inclusion of Anika and other key players highlights the BFF’s focus on blending international experience with local expertise to compete at the highest level.