A trophy long in the making

As Shahada Akter Ripa and Anai Mogini came out of their dorms to meet the media on Thursday morning, they could not stop smiling. And in those shy smiles reflected hope, the hope of a new era for Bangladesh football on a new day.

On the evening before, these were the two who crafted Bangladesh’s 1-0 victory over India in the final of the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship.

Ripa’s brilliant backhill opened the space for Mogini, and her cross caressed Indian goalkeeper Anishka’s hand before nestling in the end. A goal that immediately brought comparisons to Brazilian legend Ronaldinho’s famous goal against England in the 2002 World Cup.

Well, the goal had to be spectacular after a superb performance. Bangladesh did not just win, they won it like champions. They dominated throughout the 90 minutes, created opportunities, and never gave India even a yard to breathe.

Mogini told The Business Post that she tried to create a goal every time she crosses.

“Every time I put in a cross, I try to make sure there is a goalscoring opportunity. This time it went in,” she told TBP on Thursday.

Bangladesh did not concede throughout the tournament and scored 20 goals, proving their mettle as a team, and like every good team around, this team did not materialise in a whiff.

It took time, and the results show. The players from this U-19 team have won eight trophies in the last six years.

They won the AFC Under-14 Girls’ Regional (South and Central) Championship twice- in 2015 and 2016, along with a hat-trick SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship title wins ranging from 2015 to 2017.

In 2018, they won the Jockey CGI Under-15 Youth Tournament before winning the SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship in the same year. And the latest one came on Wednesday.

Bangladesh U-19 women’s national team head coach Golam Rabbani Choton told TBP that it was a result of the players’ hard work.

“It’s a great thing that we managed to keep up their performances. They are always training hard and improving their performances, and this is just the outcome of that,” he said.

While talking to TBP, Bangladesh Football Federation’s women wing chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron said that she started the process of scouting these players back in 2012.

“We started scouting in 2012. The players that won the tournament today, Maria (Manda), Monika (Chakma), Tohura (Khatun) were all brought in through scouting in 2012. Then we started a residential camp for them, where they continuously trained, and that is what brought this result,” she said.

She added, “We also ensure that they are receiving proper education. Every year, several players appear for SSC and HSC exams. There are private tutors for them. We maintain their diet and everything. This trophy only came after a longstanding continuous process.”

Kiron also said that Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Primary School Football tournament helped to create awareness across the country about women’s football.

“This tournament plays a big part in creating awareness about women’s football. With this tournament, the teachers and parents of young students understand the value of football for their kids,” she said.

Bangladesh’s U-19 team did not win the SAFF by chance. Rather, it once again showed that with a proper structure and process, comes great results.

And the players of this team are not ready to stop winning. Mogini told TBP that her goal was to become better.

“I want to go even higher. I want to play for the national team and take Bangladesh forward,” Mogini said.

The Player of the tournament and the top-scorer, Ripa said that she wanted to have the most goals for Bangladesh.

“My wish is to become an even better player, and play in the national team. And like everybody else, I also wish to score the highest number of goals for Bangladesh,” the silky right winger said.