Margao: Defending champions Bangladesh secured their place in the SAFF Women’s Championship semifinals with a 4-2 win against Maldives, but there was little to celebrate for the team and coach Peter James Butler at Fatorda on Thursday night.Having won the title for the last two editions, Bangladesh are aiming for a hat-trick of titles. They were expected to sweep past Maldives – who conceded 11 against India in the opener – but the opponents proved more than a handful, even tying the game at 2-2 around the hour mark.“I thought we played some really good football at times against a team which didn’t really come to play football,” Butler told reporters during the post-match media interaction. “They just threw themselves on the ground, wasting time, and really did not look to play football. I am disappointed with the chances we missed. The score could have been whatever you wanted.”Bangladesh now face a must-win game against India in the concluding group-stage clash on Sunday to top the group. Should they end with any other result, they are certain to face higher-ranked Nepal for a place in the final.“I know India will come at us and I think that will suit us,” Butler told TOI. “Tonight was all about building and preparing and getting some game time for certain girls with a possibility that they may have to play. I think it will be a very tough game.“When you play against teams like India, who are going to come at you, the whole complexion of the game changes.”Bangladesh scored inside just 14 seconds for a dream start against Maldives at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. They moved the ball confidently, attacked relentlessly and kept possession of the ball, all indicating a team eager to build on that early momentum.But Maldives, whose half the team arrived only on the morning of the opener against India due to a missed flight connection in Mumbai, put up a fight and almost picked up a point.Bangladesh had several chances to take the match away from Maldives and had to rely on a goalkeepers error and a late added-time strike to register a win.“I can assure you the game against India will be completely different than what it was tonight,” said Butler, who has over 450 appearances in English football including the top-flight.Bangladesh will know what to expect when they play the hosts, especially Aveka Singh, who scored four goals against Maldives.“Those are the games you want to play. Those are the games the girls will relish and grow. And I think what’s important is that we learn from our mistakes, but we need to continue playing our football and it might be a bit risky at times, but it will keep you all on the edge of your seats,” said Butler.
