BD women storm into SAFF U-19 Women’s Champ final
Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh Under-19 Women’s Football team stormed into the final of the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship defeating Nepal Under-19 Women’s Football team by four goals to nil in their last league match at Pokhara Rangasala Stadium in Nepal on Wednesday.
Unbeaten Bangladesh women gained maximum nine points from three matches, while Nepal women earned three points from three matches. Nepal were ousted from the tournament.
India women reached the final grabbing six points from three matches.
Bangladesh will take on India in the final on February 7.
India confirmed their final berth after defeating Bhutan by eight goals to nil in the day’s first match.
Bangladesh led the first half 2-0.
Protima Munda of Bangladesh put her team ahead in the third minute of the play by a placing shot using a corner of her teammate Mamoni Chakma.
Alpi Akter made it 2-0 in the injury time of the first half.
After the intervals, Alpi Akter increased the tally into 3-0 by a spectacular shot in the 67th minute of the match.
Alpi Akter fulfilled her hat-trick and sealed the fate of the match by scoring a goal in the 82nd minute of the game. Alpi Akter was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Bangladesh made an auspicious start thrashing Bhutan by 12 goals to nil in their first match at the same venue on January 31. Bangladesh retained their winning streak beating their arch-rivals India 2-0 in their second match at the same venue on February 2.
A total of four teams are taking part in the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship. The first phase was rolling on single league basis. Top two teams got the tickets of the final.
Bangladeshi booters scored 18 goals playing three matches.
Alpi Akter scored seven goals with two hat-tricks. She is now the highest scorer. Munki Akhter of Bangladesh scored four goals with a hat-trick.
Pearl Fernandes of India also scored four goals. Trishna Rani scored three goals with a hat-trick. Captain of Bangladesh Under-19 Women’s team Arpita Biswas netted two goals.
Mamoni Chakma and Protima Munda of Bangladesh scored one goal each.
It may be mentioned that Bangladesh emerged the champions in the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship for five times including one joint-champions with India. India became two times champions including one joint-champions with Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Under-19 Women’s Football team defeated India Under-19 Women’s Football team in their first phase. Bangladeshi booters are the favourites of this year’s SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship.
The football lovers of the country are waiting that Bangladeshi booters will clinch the title of the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship again.