Confident Bangladesh U18s take on Nepal Monday

A spirited Bangladesh team will be looking forward to continue their winning run in the Saff U-18 Championship 2017 when they take on Nepal in their third group stage match at Changlimithang Stadium in Bhutan’s capital Thimphu Monday at 7pm, Bangladesh standard time. The junior Bangladesh boys are currently leading the points table after winning their opening two matches. They made a historic comeback to beat India 4-3 in the inaugural match before outplaying Maldives 2-0 in the second game. Bangladesh earned maximum six points, same as host Bhutan, but the former are ahead thanks to a better goal difference. Bhutan made a surprising start to the event as they capitalised home advantage to beat favourite Nepal 1-0. Nepal are the reigning champion of the Saff U-19 Championship 2015, which then returned to the U-18 format but the loss has now made it difficult for the Gorkhalis to retain the title. Ahead of the encounter, Bangladesh head coach Mahbubur Rahman Roksy said, “We have no alternatives but to win the match. We all are very confident and positive about (Monday) match against Nepal. A win would take us closer to the championship.” Star winger Jafar Iqbal, who netted three goals in two matches including a brace against India, also echoed the same tune. “The situation now is very simple. We must win the match, then we are 90% sure that the trophy will come home with us. Right now we all have a very positive mindset,” said Jafar.