Bangladesh girls added yet another trophy to their cabinet when they beat Nepal 1-0 in the final of the Saff U-18 Championship at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan Sunday.
Masura Parvin bagged the all-important goal in the 49th minute and the Bangladesh defence held firm till the final whistle to confirm yet another title for the girls in red and green.
As expected, it was a cagey affair in the grand finale as Nepal held their forte admirably before conceding early in the second half.
The two finalists had also met in the group stage Tuesday with Bangladesh winning 2-1 so Nepal were mindful of Bangladesh’s forward line.
But Bangladesh eventually prevailed, and were rewarded for their patient build-up plays as Masura scored what turned out to be the winner in the 49th minute.
The girls in red and green registered five shots on target against Nepal’s three while the latter posted four shots off target, as opposed to the former’s one.
Both the sides got four corners each, thus illustrating the close nature of the final.
Bangladesh’s Mosammat Sirat Jahan Shopna finished as the highest scorer with eight goals, despite missing the semi-final, while right winger Sanjida Akter also shone brightly throughout the tournament.
Captain Mosammat Mishrat Jahan Mousumi and Srimoti Krishna Rani Sarkar were also consistent performers for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s defence meanwhile, led magnificently by Akhi Khatun, shipped just one goal in the tournament.
Bangladesh will now turn their attention to the senior Saff Women’s Championship, scheduled to be hosted by Sri Lanka in December this year.
RESULT
Bangladesh U-18 1 (Masura 49) 0 Nepal U-18
Bangladesh Stats Nepal
5 Shots on target 3
1 Shots off target 4
4 Corners 4
0 Yellow cards 1
10 Fouls committed 6