Today is a historic day in women's football.

Today is a historic day in women's football.

Such a day has never come in the country's women's football. Bangladesh's women's footballers will compete on the biggest stage in Asia today. Bangladesh will make its debut in the Asian Cup football in Sydney, Australia today. Bangladesh's opponent is China. The game will start at 7 pm local time and 2 pm Bangladesh time at the Western Sydney Stadium.

12 countries are playing in the final round of the Asian Cup football. This is the first time that Bangladesh has qualified to play on the main stage of the Asia Cup. The country's women's football has a long history. But the planned path. It has started for about 15 years. The tree of women's football, which was built by the way, has spread its branches today. By becoming champions in the football of the subcontinent twice in a row, they have broken countries like India, Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Asian football has shaken up, showing that Bangladesh's women's footballers have come forward with heroism.

The common people of the country have started to realize that women are moving forward in football. Their love and prayers always shadowed every match of women's football. In the course of time, the people of the country started dreaming that Bangladesh's female footballers would cross the line and raise the country's flag on the big stage of Asia. That dream is going to be fulfilled today. Today is the great moment.

The best 12 countries in Asia will play in 3 groups. In Group B, Bangladesh, China, North Korea and Uzbekistan are in addition to Bangladesh. Bangladesh is in a tough group. Bangladesh will play against a team full of history and tradition like China in women's football. If you compare their football players at the great moment of history at the Bangladesh level, Bangladesh is far away. If you compare the facilities of Bangladesh's female footballers with the rest of the 11 countries in Asia, there is a huge difference.

On February 19, captain Afeeda Khandaker's Bangladesh team is thrilled to see the facilities of Australia. Shiuli, Monica, Maria, Rituparna Chakma are impressed by everything in their country's stadium, field, dressing room, practice field, gallery. England coach Peter James Butler revealed his inner thoughts at a pre-match press conference in Sydney. 'I came to Australia from Gulistan.'

Over the past 10 days, the game plan has been practiced under the Australian sky. Although China is a strong team, the courage of Bangladeshi women footballers is different. They do not have faith in them. They have survived many setbacks in life and have struggled for their lives. They have a different feeling for the country. A mentality like fighting for their lives. Shamsun Nahar and Rituparnara will not think a single bit about how dangerous China can be. Golam Rabbani Choton was the long-time coach of women footballers. He says, 'When faced with a tough football competition like the Asia Cup, there is no opportunity to look back. If you think about how strong someone is, you will not have to fight to move forward.'

It will be an unequal fight between Bangladesh and China. However, Bangladeshi footballers have made it clear that they will play for the country, for their families, for themselves. When this confidence is built in a team, those people do not lose easily. Those who win the battle of life and move forward are always like heroes. Fear does not work inside them. No pressure is working.

In the Asia Cup qualifiers, football officials were worried about whether the players would be able to do it or not. But the players defeated the strong Myanmar in the qualifying group and reached the final round. Even though the Bengali women's footballers lost to China by a large margin, there should be no regrets. Because they have brought this country's football this far through thousands of crises.

China's Australian coach Antony Milicic spoke positively about Bangladesh. 'I have seen Bangladesh play. There are many good footballers in the team. Even though Bangladesh is playing in the Asia Cup for the first time, they have nothing to lose. So they will play well and will be able to play with a free mind. China is the most successful coach in Asia Cup football, so there is nothing to take Bangladesh lightly.'

Sydney, Australia, has the largest Chinese population. A large group will occupy the entire stadium to watch the game today. Bangladeshi footballers know this. However, there is also a large number of Bangladeshi people in Sydney, even if it is fragmented. They will also show their support by raising the country's flag in the gallery. Bangladesh will not be left behind.