Bangladesh Women defeated Nepal by 3-0 after some dazzling link-up play to lift the trophy of the SAFF Under-20 Women’s football championship on Thursday.
Held at the Bir Sreshtha Mostafa Kamal Stadium, Kamalapur, Dhaka, forwards Shaheda Akter Ripa and Shamsunnahar (Jr) scored one goal each at late hours of the first half and another one from Unnoti Khatun, at three minutes to finish the 90- minute regulation time steered Bangladesh to celebrate the championship.
It was a keen contest from the opening exchanges, with Bangladesh creating first clear chances with a right side movement. Aklima Khatun had the chance to get the lead early for Bangladesh on the 18th minute when she was played through by Shamsunnahar (Jr) inside the danger area, but Nepal keeper Kabita pulled off a great save of Aklima’s attack.
It was another clear sight of goal for Bangladesh when Ripa fired over after a fine counterattack on the 38th minute but Nepalese keeper Kabita made a superb diving save.
But last five minutes before the break Bangladesh had had their best spell of the half and scored two goals on two consecutive occasions in a span of three minutes. Shaheda Akter Ripa broke the deadlock on 43rd, this time Nepalese keeper Kabita could not stop the effort taken into the far post (1-0).
The second one came from Shamsunnahar (Jr) when she put the Bangladesh into 2-0 lead ahead on the stroke of halftime with a neat finish. In the second goal of which involved a dazzling exchange between Aklima and Shamsunnahar. Aklima was clever to capitalise on defenders' mistake in the clearance and set the ball for Shamsunnahar, who beat the defenders with her pace and beat the keeper Kobita one-on-one situation with a beautifully placed finish on 45th.
Nepal went closer to reduce one on the 50th minute but Bangladesh keeper came out to make a brilliant save of an Amisha karki’s effort.
After a well-played first half, the second was to start even better. Aklima’s through pass found Shamsunnahar, but she could not edge past Nepal’s goalkeeper, who came forward to halt on the 56th minute.
It could have been a 3-0 lead for Bangladesh on the71st minute but Shaheda Akter Ripa, who controlled with her back to the ball took a long range shot which narrowly missed the post.
Nepal was about to have a goal right on the 80th minute when they were in a bit of control and had a clear opportunity but Amisha Karki’s strong effort was beautifully saved by goalkeeper Rupna Chakma.
The Red and Green, who were looking to lift the trophy, after leading the 2-0 first half lead brightened the chances and Unnoti Khatun made the dream come true when she sealed the victory on the 80th minute pinpoint free kick.
This time, receiving a ball from a counter attack, Shamsunnahar chased her markers and just on the way to enter into the box defender committed a foul, referee directed for free kick just few meters away from the box. Unnoti Khatun took the free kick to mark target into the far post (3-0).
