Published: 10:18 AM, 16 September 2026
Bangladesh aim to improve performance against Korea Republic
Bangladesh women's national football team captain Maria Manda said they gained valuable experience and learned a great deal from their previous group match against stronger opponents DPR Korea at the 20th Asian Games.
"We have to keep moving forward and prepare ourselves to compete against stronger teams. We need to work harder, improve our performance and be better prepared for the challenges ahead," Maria said in a video message on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh women's national team resumed training on Tuesday morning at J-Green Sakai ahead of their second Group F match against Korea Republic on Sept 17.
The match will be held at Nagai Stadium in Osaka at 1pm Bangladesh time.
Earlier, Bangladesh suffered a massive 10-0 defeat to DPR Korea in their opening group match.
The North Koreans have enjoyed stunning international success at youth level and start among the favourites for gold in Japan.
They were far too hot for Bangladesh to handle and were seven goals ahead by half-time.
Striker Ri Song A, who was born and raised in Japan, was in North Korea's starting line-up and scored in the second half.
North Korea was cheered on by a large group of red-clad fans, who sang and chanted throughout the match.
The men's and women's football teams were welcomed by supporters waving flags as they arrived for the Games last week wearing white blazers and pink ties.
More than 100 North Koreans are set to compete in 14 sports at the Games, which take place in Nagoya-Aichi and officially open on September 19.
Nuclear-armed North Korea suspended participation in international sporting competitions during the pandemic but returned at the Asian Games in China in 2023 and also took part in the Paris Olympics.
North Korea's women face South Korea in a Group F grudge match on September 21.
The men's team begins its campaign against China on Wednesday.
