‘Could have been 14-2’: Bangladesh coach Butler laments missed chances in Maldives win

Having expressed disappointment over the chances Bangladesh missed against Maldives on Thursday night, Bangladesh coach Peter Butler was still pleased with his side’s 4-2 win in the opening match of the SAFF Women’s Championship at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, India.

“I’m pleased that we managed to win, not in an emphatic way, but I thought we played some really good football. Some of the players we fielded tonight did well, and some disappointed,” said Butler at the post-match press conference on Thursday night.

“Disappointed with the chances we missed. I think it could have been 10-2, 12-2, 14-2, it could have been whatever you wanted.”

Butler, at the same time, was critical of the approach Maldives showed throughout the match.

“I thought we played some really good football at times against a team which didn’t really come to play football. They came to just throw themselves on the ground, waste time and really not look to play any football,” said the English coach.

Read more

Butler stands by Bangladesh’s attack-minded philosophy after Maldives win

Bangladesh went 2-0 up before surrendering the lead to Maldives, making the game tougher to manage, and Butler felt a lack of concentration led to the Maldives equaliser.

“They had two attacks, and just a lack of concentration... things like that happen.

“It was a bit like an English FA Cup game where, not to say David beats Goliath, but it was one of those games where you had to find a way to get over the line because I just felt their keeper did very well for them. The other 10 constantly threw themselves around on the floor and tried to slow the game down and slow the momentum, which teams do, and you have to find a way to be creative and break down teams,” he added.

Butler also recalled memories of the 2024 SAFF Championship, especially after the way the game progressed against Maldives.

“I cast my mind back to 2024 where everyone wrote us off and we were losing against Pakistan, and we ended up equalising in the 90-whatever-it-was minute. Football can be a very, very strange game at times and I think you have to put things into context.

“Maldives have had a little bit more time to acclimatise since the India game because they spent hours in transit. But we played a completely different style of football to them. I’m pleased we won, but I’m disappointed that we didn’t score more goals, which is obviously disappointing for you guys as well,” said Butler.

Despite Maldives fighting back to make it 2-2 at one stage, Butler never felt Bangladesh would drop points against a side they had previously beaten every time.

“We had a meeting before the game and I really impressed upon the players. I don’t think we took them lightly.

“I think what you’ve got to remember is that I had to change things around a lot tonight because we’ve got a few injuries. We had a little bit of concern regarding Sheuli Azim, we had another concern regarding Monika Chakma, so I had to chop and change it. But no excuses. We won the game, and the most important thing was to win the game, and I think you have to put that into perspective. So, it is what it is.”