Bangladesh step into final of SAFF U-15 Championship

The Bangladesh U-15 girls’ soccer team stepped into final for the third time in a row as after they got second successive victory in the SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship crushing out their Nepalese counterpart by 2-1 goals held on Friday at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan.

In the day’s match, Shaheda Akhter Ripa opened an account for Bangladesh in 12th minute while Shamsunahar scored the second goal for Bangladesh in 26th minute.

After the resumption, Karki however pulled one back for Nepal in the 64th minute of the match.

The girls’ in red and green, who are targeting to regain the title, will play their third and final match against the current champion India on Sunday.

The second consecutive defeat means Nepal crushed out from the championship race. Nepal will play Bhutan in the third and last match scheduled to be held on Sunday (October 13) at the same venue.

Earlier, Bangladesh got off to a winning start as they blanked host Bhutan by 2-0 goals while Nepal lost to India by 4-1 goals in both their respective opening matches.

The tournament is being held in round-robin format for the first time. The top two teams will play in the final slated for October 15.

Bangladesh won all their three matches to become champions in the inaugural edition but lost to India with a solitary goal in the final of the last edition held in Bhutan.

Bangladesh U-15 Squad: Rupna Chakma, Yasmin Akter, Unnoti Khatun, Nasrin Akter, Shamsunnahar Jr., Sohagi Kisku, Rojina Akter, Kohati Kisku, Shaheda Akter, Rehena Akter, Nouson Jahan, Abeda Akter, Afrida Khandakar, Mahfuza Khatun, Mehenur Akter, Nusrat Jahan, Eity Khatun, Joynob Bibi, Sumi Khatun, Surma Jannat, Purnima Ranee, Rumi Akter and Sapna Rani.

Dhaka/Aminul/AKA