Bangladesh’s age-level football could not be in a better shape right now, be it boys or girls, and the success story continued as the U-15 lads brought more laurels for the country at the Saff Championship early last month in Nepal.
Riding on the wave of the recent age-level triumphs over the last few years, the U-15 boys yet again made the nation proud with their title win at the regional competition where they exhibited brilliant football.
There were many protagonists behind the success, but it was striker Nihat Jaman Uchchash and goalkeepers Mitul Marma and Mohammad Mehedi Hasan really who shone bright with their performances.
The boys in red and green started their campaign on a resounding note, thrashing their Maldives counterpart 9-0, Nihat leading the way with four goals.
Host Nepal however, posed a stern test of Bangladesh’s credential in their last group stage match as Mitul received his marching order in the 33rd minute when the visiting side were leading 1-0.
U-15 #booters looking to #bounce back https://t.co/hD7eVKytAo
— DhakaTribune (@DhakaTribune) December 11, 2018
Nepal soon brought parity three minutes later, but a valiant display by 10-man Bangladesh saw them take the lead early in the second half, and hold on till the final whistle.
In the process, Bangladesh finished top of their group, and set up a semi-final clash with India.
With Mitul suspended, Mehedi come in between the sticks for the vital semi where Bangladesh went behind in the 17th minute.
India were scenting victory, and a final berth, when Ashikur Rahman popped up with the equaliser in the dying stages of the game to save Bangladesh’s blushes.
It was now upto the Bangladesh penalty takers, and Mehedi, to guide their country to the grand finale, and they did not disappoint, prevailing 4-2 in the tie-breaker.
Bangladesh U-15 boys returned to winning ways in style as they thrashed Maldives 10-0 in their third and last match in the @UEFA-Men’s Youth International Tournament at Chang Arena in Buriram, Thailand Friday.https://t.co/jdZdSxXd8L#BFF #UEFA #BANGLADESH #FOOTBALL #U15FOOTBALL
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 14, 2018
Mitul returned to the side, in place of Mehedi, after serving his one-game suspension, as Bangladesh were up against Pakistan in the final.
An own goal gifted Bangladesh the lead in the 25th minute but Pakistan brought parity in the second half.
The knockout stages did not have the extra 30 minutes, and so, the final rolled straight into penalties after normal time ended with the score locked at 1-1.
But right before the tie-breaker, Bangladesh made a match-altering substitution, as Mitul made way for the penalty specialist Mehedi.
The alteration paid off in some style as Mehedi made three scintillating saves to inspire Bangladesh to the title as the boys in red and green won 3-2 on penalties.
U-15 boys earn 1-1 draw against #Thailand https://t.co/ollxMCSZSV
— DhakaTribune (@DhakaTribune) December 12, 2018
The U-15 boys were richly rewarded as they first received Tk1 lakh each from the BFF, before getting Tk4 lakhs each from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
RESULTS
Final, November 3
Bangladesh U-15 1 (Haseeb 25-og) 1 Pakistan U-15 (Mohib 55-P)
Bangladesh won 3-2 on penalties
Semi-final, November 1
Bangladesh U-15 1 (Ashikur 90+3-P) 1 India U-15 (Patre 17)
Bangladesh won 4-2 on penalties
Group stage, October 29
Bangladesh U-15 2 (Ahad 2, 46) 1 Nepal U-15 (Limbu 36)
Group stage, October 27
Bangladesh U-15 9 (Nihat 11, 15, 23, 45+1, Mehedi 44, Rasel 47, 66, Ashikur 80, 90+1) 0 Maldives U-15
Teams P W D L GD Pts
Bangladesh U-15 (Q) 2 2 0 0 9 6
Nepal U-15 (Q) 2 1 0 1 5 3
Maldives U-15 (E) 2 0 0 2 -13 0
Q – Qualified for semi-finals
E - Eliminated
AWARDS
Top-scorer - Nihat Jaman Uchchash, Bangladesh (4 goals)
Fair-play award - Bangladesh
ROLL OF HONOUR
Year Champion Runners-up
2011 Pakistan India
2013 India Nepal
2015 Bangladesh India
2017 India Nepal
2018 Bangladesh Pakistan