China coach Milicic praises Ritu Porna, Monika and Maria

China women’s football team coach Ante Milicic offered praise on Tuesday after his side edged Bangladesh women 2–0 in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup debut.

Asked which Bangladesh players impressed him at the CommBank Stadium in Sydney, Milicic responded without hesitation.

“Bangladesh have some very good individual players,” he said.

“Number six Monika Chakma, number eight Maria Manda, and number 17 Ritu Porna Chakma played really well.”

The acknowledgement carried weight. China expected control. They did not expect such freedom from a side ranked far below them.

“Bangladesh played without pressure and played well,” the coach added, crediting a team that refused to shrink on the big stage.

One tactical call caught the Chinese coach off guard.

Bangladesh head coach Peter Butler benched regular goalkeeper Rupna Chakma and handed the gloves to Mile Akter, a move that raised eyebrows.

“I was surprised by Bangladesh’s goalkeeper selection,” Milicic admitted.

Then came further praise.

“This goalkeeper also played exceptionally well.”

Milicic struck a measured tone in summing up the evening.

“Bangladesh are a young team. They played freely, which we expected,” he said. “It’s the first match of the tournament. We won and kept a clean sheet, so we are satisfied.”