Bangladesh woman booters arrive in Japan ahead of Asian Games

Bangladesh's women's football team have become the first members of the country's Asian Games contingent to reach Japan, arriving early Friday after completing a conditioning camp and two practice matches in China.

The team, featuring established players including Maria Manda and Rituparna Chakma, landed in Japan at around 3:00am Bangladesh time on Saturday. They will now turn their attention to the women's football tournament at the 20th Asian Games, which will be held in Aichi-Nagoya from 19 September to 4 October.

Bangladesh made their debut in the women's football event at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. The team are returning to the continental stage with ambitions of making progress, although head coach Peter Butler has urged realism rather than unrealistic medal expectations.

"We have to be realistic. We are not at that level yet," the British coach said before the team departed for China, acknowledging the formidable challenge awaiting his players.

Bangladesh have been drawn in Group F alongside two Asian heavyweights, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea, as well as Myanmar. The group presents a steep test for a side seeking to measure its progress against some of the continent's strongest teams.

The campaign begins on 14 September against DPR Korea, followed by a meeting with Korea Republic on 17 September. Bangladesh will complete their group-stage fixtures against Myanmar on 21 September.

The country will compete in 22 sports at the Games, with 187 athletes among a 260-member contingent. Other disciplines include archery, athletics, boxing, badminton, cricket, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, golf, hockey, judo, kabaddi, karate, shooting, surfing, swimming, table tennis, beach volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.