Bangladesh women’s footballers won another championship on Thursday at the Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium, continuing their dominance in the SAFF region’s age-level competitions after defeating Nepal.
Bangladesh, who dominated the game and won convincingly 3-0 to maintain their perfect record in the competition.
Bangladesh was ahead from the start as Golam Rabbani Choton’s charges appeared eager to score goals with their quickness and superior talent.
In the second minute, Aklima Khatun attempted a long range shot, but her attempt was unsuccessful. When Nepal’s goalkeeper blocked Aklima’s effort in the 18th minute, she was denied once more.
Shamsunnahar was easily tripped in, and Bangladesh may have received a penalty, however Bhutan referee Yangkhey Tshering missed it.
But in the dying seconds of the first half, the home team finally scored, much to the delight of the audience.
In the 41st minute, Shaheda Akhter, who led Bangladesh’s offense during their successful U-19 tournament campaign at home in 2019, scored the game’s first goal.
When Nepali defender Kumari Tamag’s clearance landed on Shaheeda’s feet at the edge of the box, she was affectionately hailed as Messi of Cox’s Bazar. The deft Bangladeshi took advantage of the situation by accepting it quietly and then firing a stunning curving shot beyond the diving goalie.
Shamsunnahar, the joint highest goal scorer with four goals, doubled the lead at the injury time. Shamsunnahar, who scored a dazzling hat-trick against Bhutan, got a loose ball in the final third as Nepal defender Pratikhsa Chowdhury failed to clear a long ball and the Bangladeshi skipper chipped the ball over the forwarding Nepal keeper home.
Unnoti Khatun scored the third goal for her team in the 86th minute of play as Bangladesh maintained their lead throughout the second half as they looked out additional goals. A goal in stoppage time that Bangladesh could have scored was disallowed.
However, the overwhelming victory ensured that Bangladesh dominated the age-level competitions in the area. The current senior SAFF Champions will compete in this championship after winning the under-15 in 2017, under-18 in 2018, and under-19 in 2021.
On September 19 of last year, Bangladesh triumphed over Nepal in the tournament’s final, winning 3-1 in Kathmandu, to the delight of the entire nation.
