Internal and external disruptions crippling team, says Butler after Bangladesh’s loss to Malaysia

Bangladesh women's football team coach Peter Butler took full responsibility for the 1-0 defeat to Malaysia in the opening match of the Tri-Nation Series at the National Stadium on Wednesday, while also pointing to internal and external disruptions within the squad.

"The first and foremost, I take all responsibility for selection, results -- good or bad. I want to make that perfectly clear. So, I'm not here to make excuses. I thought the team played excellently. I thought we played some really good football like I want my teams to play," Butler said in his opening remarks at the post-match press conference at the National Stadium tonight.

"But I know the reasons why one or two players weren't really at the races tonight. And I'm sure there's a few journalists in here, and I'm looking at one who also knows that as well," he added, without naming any players or journalists.

He continued, "So, all I would turn around and say is, when you get characters at work behind the scenes, and even within your own camp, who are trying to disrupt the camp, it's very, very difficult to actually bring young players on like Munki and Sagorika, who are trying to develop the game in this country."

Butler also explained his strategy of playing a high defensive line and addressed the missed chances up front.

"I'm not going to blame anyone for the goal. It got nothing to do with the way we defended. When you're pushing and you're probing, and you're playing against a team which plays deep, you got to, sometimes it's risk-reward," said the British coach.

When asked about the below-par performance compared to the Asian Cup Qualifiers, Butler replied, "I take responsibility for everything. I don't take responsibility for people trying to upset the apple cart outside, and you know who they are. You know those characters who are actually trying to upset the team because they're very, very close friends, and some of them were playing with that group. So, you got to deal with that. It ain't going to go away, it's just the nature of the beast. Unfortunately, it's the way things work here."

He also warned that he would return to England if the situation continues.

"I'm trying to do the right things. I'm trying to build the team. If the BFF want to find a new coach, I don't have a problem with that. I'll go back to England tomorrow if that's what you want. If you think that's going to solve the problem, great. And then you can bring back your two friends. Then you can bring them back. But while I'm here, I'll keep blooding the young players of the future for Bangladesh, and I'll turf out the ones who are toxic and have bad attitudes," Butler said.

Meanwhile, the exclusion of five senior players, especially Sabina Khatun and Masura Parveen, was repeatedly raised. Butler had already stated on Tuesday that there was no place for Sabina or Masura in the squad and requested journalists not to revisit the question.

Meanwhile, Malaysia coach Joel Cornelli, for his part, said they simply exploited the large space behind the Bangladesh backline to score the decisive goal.