Choton watches from the stands

Bangladesh women's football team's former head coach Golam Rabbani Choton watched from the stands as the team drew 1-1 against Nepal in their FIFA friendly fixture in Kamalapur yesterday.

The 54-year-old coach, who recently resigned from his job of a decade-and-a-half, left the team with some indignation over meddling into his work by others in the football federation. Despite currently being coach of Bangladesh Army women's team, Choton watched from general gallery, not using the VIP seating arrangements that are reserved for coaches and club officials.

The sight of Choton watching the match didn't escape Mahbubur Rahman Litu, Choton's long-time understudy who has been given the responsibility to guide the team for the time.

Speaking after the match about the man who considers these players as his family, Litu said: "I have worked with Choton bhai since 2009. We have a special bonding. I have missed him a lot today. I had even tried to contact him before the match, but I don't know why he didn't pick up the phone."