Bashundhara Kings' Sabina Khatun shoots at goal during their Women's Football League match against Anwara in Dhaka Saturday Dhaka Tribune

Srimoti Krishna Rani Sarkar netted four times but it was more about national captain Sabina Khatun, who also scored a hat-trick and left contributions for other goals as well to lead a goal-galore day against a side who had only two-hours of training together before the game

Bashundhara Kings officially introduced their star-studded women's football team with a thoroughly dominating 12-0 win over Begum Anwara Sporting Club in Dhaka Saturday during the opening day of the Women's Football League that made its return after seven years. 

Srimoti Krishna Rani Sarkar netted four times but it was more about national captain Sabina Khatun, who also scored a hat-trick and left contributions for other goals as well to lead a goal-galore day against a side who had only two-hours of training together before the game.

The starting XI of the Kings was no less than the national team with Sabina being the hub of the attacking front, starting behind striker Krishna, and Sanjida Akter and Monika Chakma on the wings. 

Maria Manda and Mishrat Jahan Mousumi controlled the midfield while Nargis Khatun, Masura Parvin, Sheuli Azim and Nilufer Yeasmin Nila were deployed at the back-four.

National goalkeeper Rupna Chakma was not tested for once but Anwara goalkeeper Tahera Khatun, who played her first game after around two years, was the busiest player on the pitch.

Maria Manda heads to clear Dhaka Tribune

Sabina, considered a goal-machine in domestic league for a decade, opened the scoring within 45 seconds before Krishna headed home a Sanjida corner to double the lead with only four minutes on the clock. 

Krishna headed her second seven minutes later and added two more in the second half with simple tap-ins.

After orchestrating Mousumi’s first goal and assisting the second in the space of a minute before the break, Sabina got her second within a minute after the break with a neat placing shot before completing her hat-trick after the hour mark, showing great skill to dance past her markers.

Sheuli, Nargis and Maria added one each in the second half to get a dozen goals, which could have been bigger if Sabina, Krishna, Monika and Maria’s efforts were not denied by the woodwork.

Around 500 spectators were present at Kamalapur Stadium to watch the inaugural game, officiated by first female Fifa referee from Bangladesh, Joya Chakma, with Sabnur Akter and Tahmena Akter as assistants and Aleya Akter as fourth official.

Srimoti Krishna Rani Sarkar shoots at goal Dhaka Tribune

It goes without saying how one-sided the game was. 

While almost all squad members of the Kings were recruited from the Bangladesh Football Federation camp, Anwara have only two players who were included in the national youth camp before while two could only make to the trial.

“We started the camp in Uttara only day before yesterday [Thursday] and had only two hours of training together. But I’m happy to see my team compete for 90 minutes with such preparation,” said Anwara head coach Jahir Iqbal, a local coach from Rajshahi, after the game.

Meanwhile, the third edition of the women’s league also features five other teams including Kumilla United, Jamalpur Kacharipara Akadas, Spartan Gallactico Sylhet, Nasrin Sports Academy and Football C Uttar Bango. 

Bashundhara are distinct favorite to win the league in their debut participation.

RESULT

Bashundhara 12 (Sabina 1, 46, 63, Krishna 4, 11, 55, 90, Moushumi 40, 41, Sheuli 57, Nargis 83, Maria 87) 0 Anwara