Japan tour cancelled as ‘Mission Australia’ hits roadblock

Sun Sep 28, 2025 09:00 AM
Last update on: Sun Sep 28, 2025 09:00 AM

Sports Reporter

Sun Sep 28, 2025 09:00 AM Last update on: Sun Sep 28, 2025 09:00 AM

Bangladesh players and coaching staff pose for a photograph inside the Korean EPZ dormitory in Chattogram. Photo: BFF

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Bangladesh players and coaching staff pose for a photograph inside the Korean EPZ dormitory in Chattogram. Photo: BFF

The Bangladesh women’s football team’s proposed tour of Japan in November, intended as preparation for next year’s Asian Cup in Australia, has been cancelled due to the hosts’ inability to accommodate the team during the specific window.

In late August, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) women’s wing chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron unveiled a comprehensive plan for the team’s preparation under the banner ‘Mission Australia,’ with a three-week intensive training camp in Japan from October 30 as a key highlight. The team’s local camp was also scheduled to begin mid-September, postponed by two weeks from the original plan.

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However, at a press briefing at the BFF House on Saturday, Kiron, who is also an AFC member, announced the cancellation of the Japan tour. The dates conflicted with a proposed tri-nation tournament in Dhaka during the November FIFA window (Nov 24 — Dec 2).

“We are unable to tour Japan, which was initially planned from October 30 to November 20, as it clashes with the FIFA window. Japan offered a window from November 20 to 30, but we will be hosting a tri-nation tournament in Dhaka at that time,” Kiron explained.

The tri-nation tournament is yet to be finalised, with Azerbaijan confirmed as one of the participating teams alongside hosts Bangladesh. The BFF is still searching for a third team to complete the lineup.

While Kiron confirmed that a Plan B is being developed to make use of the newly freed window, she noted that most senior players will be occupied with the Saff Club Women’s Championship from December 5 to 20, where Nasrin Sports Academy will represent Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, a 29-member squad comprising senior and under-20 players, along with a seven-member coaching staff led by Peter Butler, departed for Chattogram on Saturday evening for a 20-day residential camp.

“The players will stay at the Korean EPZ under Youngone’s management, with gym, field, accommodation, and food of good quality. We have kept the Air Force ground as a backup,” Kiron said. She added that a long list of 43 players has been prepared, including 10 currently in Bhutan and four with the under-17 team.

“The 10 players in Bhutan will return on October 18 and join the 29 for 3-4 days of training in Dhaka. The team will then leave for Thailand on October 21 to play two friendly matches on October 24 and 27,” Kiron concluded.