Butler braces for DPR Korea test, vows Bengal Tigresses ‘will fight’

Bangladesh women’s football team head coach Peter James Butler on Thursday vowed his side will fight fearlessly against North Korea, despite admitting that the Asian giants pose a massive challenge.

Butler said the young Bangladeshi girls must rise to the occasion against elite opposition.

“We are here once again to face a very, very strong side like North Korea,” Butler noted.

“They are technically gifted and truly talented. If you look at their FIFA ranking, you will realise they are likely one of the favourites for this tournament.”

The women in red and green have been handed a daunting start to the competition, facing two of Asia’s powerhouses in quick succession.

“We are facing all the toughest opponents right at the start, aren’t we? China and Korea,” the English tactician stated.

“But we must be at our absolute best.”

The 59-year old coach admitted victory would be extremely difficult but insisted his players must remain true to their identity.

“I am a realist and I know winning this match will be a massive challenge for us,” he explained.

“But the key is to give our best and stay true to ourselves. If we do that, I hope we can win some hearts.”

Butler praised the character his players showed against China and demanded the same spirit in the upcoming clash.

“I sincerely hope to see the same character tomorrow (Friday) as we saw in the last match,” he said.

“We won’t just sit back and defend; we will fight.”

Bangladesh’s tactical approach, he revealed, will focus on discipline and compact defending against a technically superior side.

“When we have possession, we will attack and be creative,” Butler explained.

“When we don’t have the ball, we must reduce space and stay compact. Against teams like Korea or China, discipline is vital.”

The Bangladesh coach also elucidated that scouting DPR Korea had been difficult due to limited available footage.

“I could find very little,” Butler revealed.

“I only managed to get some clips from matches between China and Korea.”

He emphasised that adaptability would be crucial once the match begins.

“Players create the system; the system doesn’t create the players,” he pointed out.

“You must be smart enough to adapt quickly and respond to what happens on the pitch.”

With nearly half the squad under 20, Butler believes the tournament is a valuable learning experience for Bangladesh.

“About 48 to 50% of this team is under the age of 20,” he said.

“There is a huge difference between playing at the SAFF level and at the AFC level. The pitches, facilities, and opposition are far more professional.”

The coach also confirmed there could be changes to the starting XI as he manages the squad during the demanding tournament schedule.

“We have our third match coming up as well, so there will be some mandatory and tactical changes,” Butler said.

However, Butler dismissed any talk of ambitious targets such as reaching the quarter-finals.

“We didn’t come here with pipe dreams that we are going to qualify for the World Cup,” he explained.

“This is an educational opportunity for the players.”

Despite the tough draw, Butler remains convinced his team will grow stronger through the experience.

“I just want the players to go out there, give their best and play with honesty and integrity,” he concluded.