'Sabina's time has come to an end'

Bangladesh coach Peter Butler has virtually closed the door on the country's top-scorer and long-time captain Sabina Khatun by leaving her alongside four other SAFF winners in a 23-member team, declared for the upcoming Jordan tour, on Sunday.

When asked about the reason behind the exclusion of Sabina, who has scored 36 goals in 56 appearances for the country over a 15-year-career, the Englishman said: "I think Sabina has run her race. If I'm being honest with you, if I'm being practical, I think her time's come to an end. I think you've got to move on."

The exclusion of Sabina as well as Sanjida Akhter, Masura Parvin and Krishna Rani Sarkar – all of them key members of both SAFF-winning teams, along with Matsushima Sumaya, who was part of the SAFF-winning team last year, comes in the wake of a long-standing rift between the coach and the senior players, which first came to light during the SAFF campaign in Nepal last year.

Since the boycott of Butler's training camp by 18 senior players on January 30 this year, nine have been called back to the camp recently – all of them earning their places for Jordan tour – alongside 11 members who were part of the team which played two friendly matches in UAE in February. Three new faces – goalkeeper Ferdousi Akter, midfielder Shanti Mardi and forward Umela Marma – were added.

Sabina and Masura Parvin. Photo: Facebook

Although there was no mention of the rift from the coach behind the exclusion of these senior players during a press conference yesterday, he mentioned that form, fitness, game-time, discipline, attitude, and above all an eye on giving exposure to young players, were the main considerations for his team selection.

Apart from the exclusion of the five senior players, the appointment of Afeida Khandaker as the captain was also an eyebrow-raiser. Although she did captain a young side to UAE, with senior players such as Monika Chakma, Ritu Porna Chakma and Maria Manda back in the squad, the coach had option to choose from.

"I think she's a good leader. I think she's got character. I think she leads by example. She's not a massive talker," Butler explained. "Why shouldn't I have the right to choose my captain? Experienced of inexperienced, captains lead by example, not just from a vocal perspective but from practical perspective."

Peter Butler with Afeida Khandaker. Photo: BFF

Mahfuza Akter Kiron, the women's wing chairman of BFF, was asked whether she had a talk with the coach regarding the exclusion of the senior players and why they were not given an opportunity to prove their form or fitness to the coach. She didn't provide a direct answer to these questions, instead said that she believed in professionalism and didn't see the point of her asking questions on team selection.

The Bangladesh team will fly for Amman this morning to play against 74th-ranked Jordan on May 31 and 94th-ranked Indonesia on June 3 as part of preparation for June-July's AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Bangladesh Squad

Goalkeepers: Rupna Chakma, Meghla Rani, Ferdousi Akter,

Defenders: Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar Sr, Afeida Khandaker (C), Joynab Bibi

Midfielders: Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Munki Akter, Shopna Rani, Kohati Kisku, Halima Akter, Shanti Mardi

Forwards: Ritu Porna Chakma, Tohura Khatun, Shamsunnahar Jr, Mosammat Sagorika, Shaheda Akter, Surobhi Akond, Mosammat Sultana, Nobirun Khatun, Umela Marma