Bengal Tigresses win the hearts of Western Sydney

China 2 Bangladesh 0

Fifteen minutes to kick-off at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, with the whole stadium open, the photographers in place and the substitutes already in their dugouts, the death knell tolled and the flags of the two nations were unfurled to warm applause from a meagre yet bigger crowd than we had seen earlier in the day. The eerie heartbeat music preceded the entrance of the players to an inspiring herald, a flurry of activity and two anthems that revealed the pockets of fans of the two opposing teams with their respective animated receptions to the stirring tunes. A crowd not too dissimilar to a Western Sydney Wanderers home game in a difficult season, the photographers, volunteers and staff seemed to outnumber those in the grey seats. The two sets of players huddled in the middle of their respective halves, the indescribable two-tone not yellow but not green kit worn by the Chinese was overshadowed by the piercing red of the Bangladesh team. A stray pass straight from kick off had the Bangladesh fans off their seats early, but Chakma Ritu Porna got too excited on the ball and overran the unexpected possession.

This was like watching a talented under 15s team in a practice match against a much older team, the diminutive defenders doing remarkably well against their taller and stronger opponents. It was exciting, Liu Jing fired wide with goalkeeper Mile Akter at full stretch. Wang Shuang set Zhang Chengxue away with a backheel and Liu Jing again had a good chance at the far post but didn’t catch it correctly. Nabirun Khatun gave us an immaculate sliding challenge to concede a corner, before Lyu Yatong was booked for a ridiculous drag back on Shamsunnahar Shams as the right winger threatened to break free. Maria Manda was flattened in a tackle by her much bigger opponent, before a thrilling moment saw Wang Shuang meet a cross from Jin Kun, only for Mile Akter to save down low, and the follow-up bounced off the post.

Mile Akter was then caught in two minds whether or not to pick up a tame shot from Zhang Chengxue, fumbling the ball out for a corner. The excitement was rising and reached fever pitch when a long ball over the top saw Chakma Ritu Porna in a foot race with her defender Wu Haiyan. Not only did she win the sprint, but she unleashed an unlikely missile on goal that goalkeeper Chen Chen tipped over spectacularly as the crowd rose as one. The moment of the tournament so far perhaps?  Chakma Ritu Porna was again in the action moments later when she chased a lost cause, goalkeeper Chen Chen hesitating and almost presenting the ball to her opponent. This was pure excitement now and the crowd reacted accordingly. Sheuli Azim hacked one off the line at the near post after hesitation from the striker, Monika Chakma got into a great position for Bangladesh on the left but got too excited and fired a shot well wide.

China racked up the chances, former Central Coast Mariners goal machine Wurigumula with a good opportunity that was well saved by Mile Akter. A smart spin from Wang Shuang gave the crowd a thrill and the same player was on hand to head home from a smart cross from the left from Jin Kun, but the goal was eventually disallowed for the less obvious offside in the sweeping move. Referee and assistant stared each other down as Wurigumula hit the post from a cross, the goal kick given, before a period of play that had China worried. Monika Chakma fired in a grass-cutter from distance which Chen Chen watched wide, and Wang Linlin played the ball out of play under no pressure at all. Could Bangladesh last until half time or even snatch a shock lead?

It was some goal that finally broke the deadlock, a precision through ball and a long-range screamer from Wang Shuang that Mile Akter could only watch into the top corner. It was cruel on Bangladesh, and the muted celebration from Wang Shuang made the crowd doubt themselves about the validity of the goal. China were always dangerous running on to the ball over the top and Bangladesh left gaps. As we entered seven minutes of added time, it was two as Zhang Rui rattled home with a low shot on the rebound after an unconvincing palm by Mile Akter. Ante Milicic and Ivan Jolic looked at each other in bemusement in the China dugout as VAR checked something, but no one in the stadium was allowed to know what it was. The goal stood and China set about capitalising on their lead, Liu Jing with a poor miss from Wang Shuang’s expert cross from the right.

A most entertaining first half was brought to a close; all we could hope for was more of the same. The China players warmed up as the sprinklers went on, dodging the spray, and the volume was pleasantly turned down by mistake on the blaring adverts on the big screens.

The second half got underway in the same manner, Chakma Ritu Porna firing a shot across Chen Chen’s goal and Bangladesh played without fear. The crowd was still very much engaged, with both sets of fans making noise, but this was now like a proper knockout cup tie. It was surely a matter of time before the plucky underdogs ran out of steam and the big hitters made them pay, or was there a twist? Shamsunnahar Nahar flicked the ball up with a trick to take a throw, Bangladesh were still full of confidence. Maria Manda fired over, Sapna Rani delighted the crowd with a clever dummy, and when Afeida Khandaker launched a long ball forward, Shamsunnahar Shams did well to leap above the defence and head just wide. There was life in Bangladesh, but China were always threatening. Xie Zongmei thought she had a penalty, Kohati Kisku thought she had a goalkick and the referee agreed, Xie Zongmei then fired wide when well placed and Zhang Chengxue had a fierce drive palmed over by Mile Akter.

With twenty minutes to go, China were still not in the clear, but it always felt like it was coming. Shamsunnahar Shams won a corner, but Chakma Ritu Porna’s centre was easy for Chen Chen. Play went on before VAR intervened, checking a possible penalty but it was never going to be given. Bangladesh kept pressing, Sapna Rani firing wide after a winding run, and Maria Manda shooting past the other post from distance. The crowd of 6,006 was about right compared with similar-looking Wanderers crowds. Zhang Xing’s corner from the left swung onto the bar and away as the two sets of fans traded chants. China had ten minutes to assert their dominance, Bangladesh continued to fly into tackles as if their lives depended on it. Zhang Chengxue raced clear to strike the post but she always looked offside, the smoke machines prematurely going off behind the goal.

Mst Halima Akhter typified the fighting spirit of the Bengal Tigresses, flying into a headed challenge and coming out with a bloodied nose as time ticked away, but we would get that time back as the clock moved past the ninety. With Mile Akter joining Shamsunnahar Nahar in receiving treatment from the physios, Bangladesh were managing the time appropriately. The eight minutes added might come back to haunt them though, a near post header flashing just past the post from Tang Jiali, and she went close again soon after sending Mile Aktar to the ground again needing attention. The expected deluge of goals to make sure of the points didn’t arrive, Bangladesh were to leave CommBank Stadium with their heads held high and having won the hearts of the Western Sydney‘s football family. Shao Ziqin was denied a penalty when Mst Halima Akhter brought her down from behind, but the offside flag was up swiftly and that’s where the action ended.

The celebrations at the final whistle told the story. Both teams felt that they had won tonight, the players retreating to opposite ends to applaud their fans, Bangladesh breaking protocol to meet the fans close up, China keeping their distance like the Matildas and remaining within the field of play. This had been a fantastic occasion, Bangladesh was now everyone’s favourite team of the tournament, but their vastly superior opponents had held their nerve, celebrated with grace, and should safely pass through the group stage. The mood was high as the two squads finally made their way down the tunnel, although the walking wounded of Bangladesh were being treated on the sideline, suggesting enforced changes ahead of their next game in the tournament. Over to you, Perth, to take the reins and give us more of this high-quality Asian Cup entertainment.