On Tuesday in Sydney, Bangladesh open their campaign against nine-time champions China, marking their first appearance at the continental showpiece and the country’s first participation in Asia’s premier competition since 1980.

“Hit her, hit her hard,” shouted Afeida Khandokar, captain of the Bangladesh women’s football team, from the stands of the Mohammad Ali Boxing Stadium in Dhaka yesterday.

Bangladesh made a significant stride in the latest FIFA Women's World Ranking by climbing five spots to 128th place -- a timely morale boost ahead of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, scheduled for June 29 to July 5 in Myanmar.

Bangladesh women's football team captain Afeida Khandokar believes their recent matches against Jordan and Indonesia provided crucial experience ahead of the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers which will run from June 29 to July 5.