SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship: Sagarika’s Four Goals Lead Bangladesh to Title Triumph Over Nepal

Mosammat Sagarika stole the spotlight at Kings Arena, scoring four goals in an emphatic 4-0 victory over Nepal in the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship, securing the title for Bangladesh. In a match where a draw would have sufficed for the championship, Sagarika’s dazzling performance ensured Bangladesh retained the age-group SAFF title, marking their fifth triumph in the competition.

Sagarika, who had been sidelined for the team’s first three matches due to a suspension, made a stunning return, showcasing her brilliance. Despite missing half the tournament, the 17-year-old forward scored eight goals in three matches, including two hat-tricks. Her four-goal haul against Nepal included a near-fifth, thwarted by an offside call in the 71st minute.

Sagarika’s magic began in the 7th minute, capitalizing on a well-coordinated move involving Swapna Rani and Puja Das to outwit Nepal’s defenders. In the 51st minute, she displayed remarkable skill, dribbling past two defenders to score. Seven minutes later, she completed her hat-trick with a long-range lob over Nepal’s goalkeeper, Sujata Tamang, assisted by Joynob Bibi. Her fourth goal in the 77th minute sealed the rout. Bangladesh coach Peter Butler fielded an attacking lineup with four forwards—Nabirun Khatun, Umela Marma, Sagarika, and Puja Das—supported by midfielders Munki Aktar, Swapna Rani, Shanti Mardi, and Aishi Khatun. The team’s dominance was evident early, creating four promising chances in the first 10 minutes. Nepal had a chance to equalize in the 19th minute, but goalkeeper Mili Aktar redeemed an earlier fumble by saving a header from Nepal’s Purnima Rai after her initial shot hit the post. Bangladesh played cautiously in the first half after taking the lead, while Nepal struggled to break through their solid defense. Sagarika nearly scored again in the 44th minute, only to be denied by Tamang. With no final in the double-league format, Bangladesh clinched the title with a maximum 18 points, while Nepal finished with 12. This victory follows Bangladesh’s success in the senior SAFF Championship last October, despite challenges like player protests against the coach. Under Butler’s leadership, the U-20 team overcame stronger-ranked opponents and qualified for the Asian Cup for the first time in Myanmar. The match began with a minute of silence to honor those killed in a Bangladesh Air Force training plane crash at Milestone School and College. Bangladesh has now won the SAFF U-20 title four times in six editions, with India claiming one and both teams sharing the title in 2022. This year’s tournament saw Bangladesh win all six matches, starting with a 9-1 thrashing of Sri Lanka, followed by victories over Nepal, Bhutan (twice), and Sri Lanka again (5-0).