Bangladesh women’s football team began their Asian Games campaign on a humiliating note today, suffering a record 10-0 defeat to three-time gold medallists North Korea in their Group opener in Japan.

It was the heaviest defeat Bangladesh’s women have ever suffered, surpassing the previous record — a 9-0 loss to Thailand in Dhaka in 2013.

The manner of the defeat was perhaps more painful than the scoreline itself. Against a North Korean side ranked 11th in the FIFA Women’s World Ranking, Bangladesh were repeatedly exposed at the back and struggled to cope with the pace, movement and physicality of their opponents.

It was a stark reminder of the gap that still exists between Bangladesh and Asia’s leading women’s football nations.

Bangladesh have made steady progress in recent years, most notably by qualifying for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which also secured their place among the 12 teams competing at the Asian Games. But against one of the continent’s traditional powerhouses, they looked completely out of their depth.

Coach Peter Butler opted to start with several younger players, leaving experienced campaigners Monika Chakma, Ritu Porna Chakma, Shamsunnahar and Sheuli Azim on the bench.

The decision backfired spectacularly.

North Korea needed just five minutes to open the floodgates and added two more goals within the next six minutes, leaving Bangladesh three goals down inside the opening 11 minutes.

Jon Ryong Jong, Chae Un Yong and Kim Kyong Yong all scored twice in a devastating first-half display, while Hwaang Yu Yong added another as North Korea went into the break with a 7-0 lead.

It was a far cry from Bangladesh’s performance against the same opposition in the Asian Cup six months ago in Australia, when the Women in Red and Green had frustrated North Korea for long spells.

This time, however, Bangladesh could not withstand the pressure.

After North Korea had scored four, Sheuli Azim was introduced into the backline as Butler switched to a five-player defensive formation. The tactical change offered little respite as the Korean forwards continued to find gaps with alarming ease.

Shamsunnar also introduced after the interval, but by then the damage had already been done.

Butler had called for a credible performance against a North Korean side ranked 96 places above Bangladesh. Instead, his young side endured a night that underlined just how much work remains to be done before Bangladesh can compete consistently against Asia’s elite.