Bangladesh confirmed their place in the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship final on Saturday by dismantling hosts Nepal 4-0 at the Pokhara Rangashala on Wednesday, with Alpi Akter scoring a hat-trick to set up a mouth-watering clash with India.
Peter Butler rotated his side but kept the same intent. Bangladesh pressed high, moved the ball quickly, and pinned Nepal deep inside their own half from the opening exchanges. The pressure told early.
Mamoni Chakma swung in a sharp corner in the third minute. Pratima Munda attacked the space at the far post and powered a header past the stranded goalkeeper. Bangladesh seized control and never loosened their grip.
Nepal tried to regroup but Bangladesh squeezed the midfield and cut off supply lines. Butler’s side forced rushed clearances and recycled possession with ease. The game tilted further just before the break.
Alpi Akter drifted into space outside the box in stoppage time and floated a precise free-kick beyond the goalkeeper. Bangladesh walked into the interval with a 2-0 lead and complete authority.
The second half followed the same script. Bangladesh dominated the ball and stretched Nepal’s defence until gaps appeared. Shanti Mardi nearly added a third with a clever chip, only for a defender to clear off the line.
Alpi then took centre stage. She timed her run perfectly, broke the offside trap, and finished calmly to make it three. Nepal’s resistance crumbled.
A sloppy back pass sealed their fate. Alpi pounced, drove into the box, and completed her hat-trick with ruthless composure. It was her second hat-trick of the tournament and a statement performance.
Bangladesh finished the round-robin stage with nine points from three matches, scoring freely and conceding none. India also reached the final after an 8-0 win over Bhutan but still carry the scar of a 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh earlier in the competition.
