The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has sent a clear message of intent by naming veteran icon Sabina Khatun as the captain of the national squad for the upcoming SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship. This appointment marks a dramatic revival of Sabina’s international career following a high-profile period of friction with the national football team’s British head coach, Peter Butler. Having been frozen out of the traditional eleven-a-side team, Sabina has spent the intervening months reinventing herself on the indoor court, proving her enduring value to the national setup.
Set to commence on 13th January in Bangkok, Thailand, the inaugural South Asian futsal tournament represents a new frontier for Bangladesh. To support Sabina’s leadership, the federation has appointed the influential Sumaya Matsushima as vice-captain. Together, they head a 15-member contingent that blends the grit of seasoned champions with the agility required for the high-octane environment of futsal.
A Seven-Year Hiatus Ends
Bangladesh’s return to the international futsal stage is long overdue, with their last competitive outing dating back to the 2018 Asian Cup qualifiers. Interestingly, Sabina was also the captain during that previous campaign, making her the bridge between the sport’s past and its hopeful future. The transition from the grass pitch to the hard court has been supported by the inclusion of several heroes from the 2022 SAFF title-winning side, ensuring that the team possesses a “winning DNA.”
| Player Profile | Role/Status | Career Highlight |
| Sabina Khatun | Captain | National all-time leading goalscorer |
| Sumaya Matsushima | Vice-Captain | Key creative force in domestic leagues |
| Mishrat Jahan Moushumi | Returning Veteran | Long-awaited return to the national fold |
| Krishna Rani Sarkar | Senior Forward | Brace-scorer in the 2022 SAFF Final |
| Marzia | Midfielder | Technical specialist for tight spaces |
Squad Composition and Omissions
The final roster was trimmed from a larger pool, with the coaching staff ultimately deciding to leave behind Unnoti Khatun, Nasrin Akter, and Sejuti Islam Smriti. The resulting squad is a “who’s who” of Bangladeshi talent, including defensive stalwart Masura Parvin and reliable goalkeeper Sathi Biswas.
The full touring party comprises: Sabina Khatun, Sumaya Matsushima, Masura Parvin, Krishna Rani Sarkar, Lipi Akter, Mehenur Akter, Ratri Moni, Sumi Khatun, Naushin Jahan, Nilufa Yasmin Nila, Mishrat Jahan Moushumi, Marzia, Sathi Biswas, Iti Rani, and Swapna Akter July.
As the team prepares to depart for Thailand, the narrative has shifted from internal disputes to the possibility of regional glory. All eyes will be on Sabina to see if her legendary finishing skills can adapt to the smaller goals and lightning-fast pace of the futsal arena.
