Following the latest undefeated campaign at the SAFF Under-16 Women Championship 2024 in Nepal Sunday, Bangladesh's female footballers have now become the running unbeaten champions of South Asia in all annual and biannual regional youth and senior SAFF competitions.
Bangladesh faced stiff opposition from India in the previous competitions before their unbeaten triumph at the SAFF Women’s Championship 2022, the country's first in senior women's football.
Since then, the girls in red and green also maintained the same momentum in youth level as they finished both SAFF U-19 and U-16 Women's Championship unbeaten.
In the process, they defeated rivals India thrice and lost none.
Based on annual event, South Asian football federation's women's youth football competitions are usually underlined in two categories - U-18/19/20 and U-15/16/17 age-groups.
In February, Bangladesh emerged joint champions of SAFF U-19 Women's Championship with India after the final in Kamalapur was left unfinished due to a controversial decision of match official in choosing the winner on coin toss following a dramatic 22-shot tiebreaker turnout.
The team remained unbeaten throughout the campaign that included a stoppage-time winner against India in the first round.
Last year, it was held in U-20 format at the same venue.
Bangladesh won three and drew once in dominating fashion, culminating with the 3-0 win over Nepal in the final.
From home to away, the U-16 girls waved the flag high in Kathmandu at the most recent youth meet, winning all matches en route to a stunning penalty shootout victory in the final.
The first four editions were held in U-15 format from 2017 to 2022 with India winning twice and Bangladesh and Nepal once each.
It was held in U-17 format last year where Russia participated as a guest nation and returned home with the trophy as Bangladesh finished as the runners-up.
The age-group of a youth tournament are normally decided based on forthcoming schedule of AFC's youth competition.
On the latest occasion, the young Bengal Tigresses retained the glory along with Sauravi Akanda Prity and Yearzan Begum claiming the tournament's Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper award respectively.
Now, it is up to the senior side to do the nation proud once again in the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship, scheduled to be held later this year.
