Bangladesh claim SAFF U20 Women’s Championship 2023 title
Dhaka
9 Feb 2023
Bangladesh won the SAFF Under-20 Women’s Championship 2023 title defeating Nepal 3-0 at Bir Shrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium on Thursday.
Shaheda Akter Ripa and captain Shamsunnahar and Unnoti Khatun scored a goal each for Bangladesh. Shaheda Akter Ripa and captain Shamsunnahar scored the two goals within a space of four minutes of the first half before Unnoti Khatun put the third and final nail on Nepal's coffin in the 87th minute of the match, played in front of an expectant home crowd.
Ripa broke the deadlock scoring first goal in the 42nd minute, finding the far corner of the net with a curling effort from outside the box. She took her chance through a host of Nepal defenders even as Aklima Khatun was lying on the pitch inside the box following a collision against a Nepal player.
Captain Shamsunnahar doubled the lead in the first minute of stoppage time following a small through-pass from Aklima after Nepal defender Pratiksha failed to clear a long ball.
Bangladesh Captain Shamsunnahar took honors for Best Player of the Tournament and the highest scorer with five goals. Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma was adjudged the Best Goal Keeper.
Bhutan, meanwhile, bagged the Fair Play award.