4 October 2023
The ADF football team has returned to the international stage with a series of games against teams in Bangladesh as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE) 2023.
The last time a combined Defence football team played overseas was in the UK in 2013, while the last time it faced international opposition was against New Zealand in 2017.
Captain of the ADF team, Army Captain Somaskiaantan Subramaniam, said the group was excited to play international football again after a lengthy break.
“It's been a hot and ferocious re-introduction to international football in Bangladesh and it's given the team the chance to forge new relationships in a triservice environment,” Captain Subramaniam said.
“Not only has it been good to play football in new conditions, it's given us a taste of IPE and how we can play a role in future international engagement activities.”
The ADF first played a Bangladesh Army team and then travelled further afield to the city of Savar to play a team from the country's national sports academy.
While the results did not go Australia's way, the team was impressed by the hospitality of the host country and their enthusiasm for the visit.
This is the second IPE visit to Bangladesh, with the inaugural visit last year including a squad from the Australian Army women’s cricket team.
Commander IPE 2023 Air Commodore Tony McCormack, who greeted the Australian and Bangladesh football teams after the game, said that once again sport had shown its ability to bring people together.
“After a friendly game it's good to see both sides sitting around, talking and getting to know each other,” Air Commodore McCormack said.
“It was a great game and a great example of Australia-Bangladesh cooperation on the visit.”
