Bangladesh women’s SAFF U-17 title hopes fade after Bhutan stalemate

Agency :

Bangladesh’s hopes of lifting the SAFF Under-17 Women’s Championship title suffered a significant blow after being held to a 1-1 draw against Bhutan in Thimphu on Friday.

.At the Changlimithang Stadium, Bangladesh raced out of the traps and grabbed an early lead when Purnima Marma pounced on a goalkeeping error in the sixth-minute.

Bhutan keeper Kelzang Wangmo mishandled a back pass, allowing Purnima to chip the ball over her into the net.

Bangladesh almost doubled their advantage midway through the first half when Mamoni Chakma’s cross found Purnima at the far post, but the forward miscued her effort.

The lead nearly doubled in the 27th minute when Mamoni Chakma’s cross found Purnima at the far post, but she failed to connect.

Bhutan struck back in first-half stoppage time when Chorten Zangmo latched onto a long ball and coolly slotted a low shot past the goalkeeper.

The second half began promisingly for the visitors, with Mamoni weaving past three defenders only to be denied by Wangmo.

But as the match wore on, Bangladesh’s play became disjointed as attacks broke down due to wayward passing.

Coach Mahbubur Rahman Litu replaced Purnima with Fatema Akter in the 81st minute in search of a winner but Bhutan held firm to secure a share of the points.

The result leaves Bangladesh on 10 points from five matches, following a 3-1 win over Bhutan in the opener, a 2-0 loss to India, and victories against Nepal of 2-0 and 4-1.