Anika admits painful loss, eyes Uzbekistan match

Bangladesh women’s national team midfielder Anika Rania Siddiqui admitted the defeat to DPR Korea in the AFC Women's Asian Cup was painful, but said the team remains determined to respond strongly in their final group match against Uzbekistan.

Speaking after the match on Friday, Anika said the players fought hard throughout the contest but acknowledged that a few key moments ultimately made the difference.

“It’s hard to say. We were fighting for over 90 minutes and doing our best,” she told T Sports after the game. “Maybe if we had done some things differently, we might not have lost by such a big margin.”

Bangladesh kept the match competitive for long periods before conceding crucial goals late in the first half, an issue that has troubled the team during the tournament.

The midfielder said the squad is already focused on correcting those mistakes ahead of the decisive clash.

“Of course, we will work harder and try to do something different against Uzbekistan,” she said.

The Sweden-based Bangladeshi also praised the quality of the North Korean side, describing them as one of the strongest teams she has faced in her career.

“They are very clever, very fast, and very smart. They are very good,” she said.

When asked whether it was the toughest match of her career, she responded without hesitation: “Yes, definitely.”

Despite the setback, the Bangladesh women remain determined to regroup before their final group fixture against Uzbekistan on 9 March in Perth.

The Bengal Tigress stressed that Bangladesh must focus on controlling possession and playing their natural game to improve their chances.

“We have to keep the ball more, keep more possession, and try to play our game better,” she said.

She also acknowledged that the humid conditions made the match physically demanding, but insisted the challenge was the same for both teams.

“It’s a big challenge, but it’s the same for everyone. You have to play anyway, so you just have to work hard,” she added.

While the defeat has left the dressing room disappointed, Anika said the players remain motivated to deliver a better performance in the next match.

“No one is happy with the loss,” she admitted.

Still, the midfielder remains optimistic that Bangladesh can finish their campaign on a positive note.

“We are very hopeful. Everyone wants to work even harder and do better. I hope we can produce a better result,” Anika concluded.