SAFF U-20 Championship: BD beat Nepal to reach final
Bangladesh Under-20 Football team reached the final of the SAFF Under-20 Championship after defeating Nepal Under-20 Football team in the first semi-final at the Male National Stadium in Maldives on Wednesday. Mohammad Manik’s only goal secured Bangladesh youths a ticket to the final.
Bangladesh reached the semi-final with a resounding 2-0 win against Pakistan and a draw against India in the group stage.
Despite finishing runners-up in Group- B and coming in the last four by a goal difference, the youngsters were confident in their performance on the field. On the other hand, Nepal reached the semi-final as the table topper with 7 points from Group-A. But they were not taken care of by Bangladesh in the semi-final.
Bangladesh took a step further in its mission to retain the title by presenting quite good football in the Maldives. Despite winning by a 1-goal margin, Bangladesh’s performance was impressive, attractive and classic.
Bangladesh played explosive football from the start. Nepal could not do much from the start due to its attacking power. Bangladesh scored a goal in the 11th minute. Bangladesh’s Mohammad Manik headed the ball into the Nepal net from his teammate Murshed Ali’s cross.
In the next minute, Bangladesh-born American footballer Ronan Sullivan sent the ball into the Nepal net. Sullivan, who received the ball from the left wing, dodged the Nepalese defender inside the D-box and sent the ball into the net. But it was ruled offside.
There were also many scoring opportunities. However, they could not increase the lead. The forwards missed two easy headers.
Otherwise, Bangladesh would have scored at least three goals in the first half. When the match turned into a tense affair in the second half, Nepal could not defeat Bangladesh in the end. Bangladesh advanced to the final to the joy of the Bangladeshi expatriates in the Maldives.
Bangladesh are the defending champions in this competition. Bangladesh tasted the title last year by crushing Nepal 4-1. Keeping that happy memory in mind, Bangladesh defeated Nepal again yesterday.
