Bangladesh clinched their first-ever SAFF U-20 Championship title, crushing hosts Nepal by 4-1 goals in the final at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Wednesday afternoon.
With the day’s feat, Bangladeshi boys not only won their maiden title at this level, but also took sweet revenge for their 1-2 goal defeat against Nepal in the group stage match.
In the day’s final, Mirajul Islam struck twice; Rabby Hossain Rahul and Pias Ahmed Nova netted one goal for the coach’s Bangladesh team, which dominated the first half by a solitary goal.
Mirajul Islam also emerged as the highest scorer of the tournament, scoring four individual goals.
Bangladesh, which never won the SAFF U-18, U-19, and U-20 age group football crowns, today achieved their long cherished target comfortably, outplaying Himalayan nation Nepal 4-1 in the final and eliminating the last-time champions India by 4-3 goals in the tiebreaker in the semifinal.
Mirajul Islam opened the floodgate for Bangladesh in the added time of the first half with a brilliant free kick from the top of the box that kissed the Nepalese net hitting bar (1-0).
He doubled the Bangladesh margin in the 55th minute by a header from goalmouth melee (2-0).
Rabbi Hossain Rahul scored the 3rd goal for Bangladesh in the 71st minute by a good shot (3-0).
Samir Tamang reduced the Nepalese margin in the 81st minute (3-1).
Pias Ahmed Nova sealed the fate of scoring the 4th goal for Bangladesh in the added time of the match (90+6 minute).
The Bangladesh team missed their captain and number one goalkeeper, Mehdi Hasan Srabon, in the final due to injury, along with reliable Marma’s red card.
Earlier, Bangladesh booked a seat for the semis as the Group A runners up with three points, beating Sri Lanka 2-0 and losing to hosts Nepal by 1-2 goals, and they reached the final stunning holders. India by 4-3 goals in the breaker as the match was locked in 1-1 goals in schedule time.
Nepal emerged as Group A champions to qualify for the semis with an all-win run, securing a full six points from straight two matches, beating Sri Lanka 1-0 and Bangladesh 2-1, and they reached the final, eliminating Bhutan by 4-1 goals in the tiebreaker in the first semifinal on Sunday.
