Bangladesh bounced back in style at the SAFF Under-17 Women’s Championship with a 3–0 victory over Nepal at Bhutan’s Changlimithang Stadium on 24 August. The result came after their earlier defeat to India.
Bangladesh struck twice before half-time. In the 41st minute, Thainu Marma opened the scoring with a diagonal effort inside the box following a goalmouth scramble from a corner. Four minutes later, Suravi Akand Preeti doubled the lead, collecting a pass near Nepal’s penalty area after a neat midfield move and firing a long-range shot past the advancing goalkeeper.
Nepal pressed for a goal after the interval and almost broke through in the 62nd minute when two attackers beat Bangladesh’s offside trap, only to shoot straight at the onrushing keeper.
Preeti was unlucky not to complete her hat-trick late on, as her efforts in the 80th and stoppage time struck the woodwork. Thainu Marma also hit the post in the 85th minute. Substitute Riya wrapped up the win in added time, dribbling past the goalkeeper and a defender to score Bangladesh’s third.
The SAFF Under-17 tournament follows a double round-robin format. Bangladesh have now beaten Bhutan and Nepal but lost to India. They will face each opponent again, with the team finishing top of the table after six matches being crowned champions.