A completely new-look Bangladesh women’s football team took the field Wednesday without a large group of protesting players as Peter Butler’s charges conceded a 3-1 defeat in the first of two FIFA friendlies away to the United Arab Emirates.
In the absence of the rebel players whose rift with English head coach Butler dominated the headlines in the Bangladesh football scene recently, Afeida Khandaker led the side and also chipped in with a goal.
Georgia scored a brace for the home side while Elizabeth was also on the scoresheet.
The second and final friendly will be held on March 2.
Butler deployed a 3-4-3 formation with Tonima Biswas making her national team debut.
Munki Akter, Mosammat Sultana and Shaheda Akter Ripa made up the much-changed forward line while Yearzan Begum, star of the 2024 SAFF Under-16 Championship, stood in goal.
After putting up a fight in the first half the visitors still trailed 2-1 and in search of the equalizer in the second half leaked a third.
The two friendlies will serve as preparation for Butler’s disciples ahead of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia Qualifiers, slated for June 23-July 5.