Bangladesh’s under-19 women’s national football team moved a step closer to the final of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship after beating India 2–0 in their second match at the Pokhara Rangasala Stadium in Nepal's Pokhara on Monday.
With this victory, Bangladesh is now on the brink of reaching the final, following their emphatic 12–0 win over Bhutan in their opening match.
The girls in the red and green top the table with six points from two matches, while India are second with three points from two outings. Nepal and Bhutan have both lost their opening matches. If the day’s second match between Nepal and Bhutan ends in a draw, Bangladesh will secure a place in the final with a game to spare.
In Monday’s match, captain Arpita Biswas gave Bangladesh the lead in the 29th minute, before Alpi Akter sealed the win with a second goal in the 40th minute.
Bangladesh will play their next match against Nepal on Wednesday (4 February) at the same venue. The top two teams will contest the final, scheduled for 7 February.
Bangladesh U-19 women’s squad:
Mst Yearzan Begum, Mst Surovi Akter Arfin, Mst Joynob Bibi Rita, Arpita Biswas Arpita, Protima Munda, Sorovi Rani, Most Munki Akhter, Kranuching Marma, Sree Moti Trishna Rani, Alpi Akter, Mamoni Chakma, Shanti Mardi, Mst Bonna Khatun, Rupa Akter, Purnima Marma, Mst Momita Khatun, Thuinuye Marma, Ayonto Bala Mahato, Puja Das, Sauravi Akanda Prity, Mst Mira Khatun and Meghla Rani Roy.
