Bangladesh made a flying start in the SAFF Under-17 Women’s Championship, defeating hosts Bhutan 3-1 in their opening match on Thursday. The young women in red and green showcased both composure and attacking intent as they secured three valuable points to set the tone for their campaign.
Sauravi Akanda Prity opened the scoring right on the stroke of half-time after Bangladesh had dominated possession but struggled to break the deadlock. A midfield move saw Bhutan’s goalkeeper rush forward to intercept, but the ball deflected off Prity and rolled straight into the net. That late first-half goal sent Bangladesh into the break with a crucial lead.
The visitors came out stronger in the second half, pressing higher up the pitch. Just eight minutes after the restart, Alpi Akter doubled the advantage with a powerful right-footed strike from outside the box that left the Bhutan keeper helpless.
Bhutan pulled one back soon after to raise hopes of a comeback, but those were quickly dashed. In the 64th minute, Alpi struck again, this time from a goalmouth scramble following a corner, to restore Bangladesh’s two-goal cushion at 3-1. The team continued to create chances late on, though Bhutan’s defenders managed to block several promising efforts. The hosts, however, could not reduce the deficit, and Bangladesh left the pitch with a well-earned victory.
Head coach Mahbubur Rahman Litu praised his players for handling the pressure of their first match. “We thank Allah for giving us this win. In the beginning we made some mistakes, but we have identified them and will work on those in the next sessions. Our plan is to go match by match. As it was the first game, it was a little difficult for the girls to adjust, but they played very well. Prity and Alpi were outstanding, creating many opportunities. If we correct our mistakes, we can do even better,” he said after the game.
Bangladesh women’s football has been on a steady rise in recent years, with young players gaining invaluable international experience at an early age. Victories like this not only strengthen their confidence but also signal a promising future. The opening win in Bhutan may prove to be another stepping stone in their growing journey of success.