Bangladesh emerge champions in SAFF U-19 Women's Championship

 DHAKA - A late goal by Anai Mogini helped Bangladesh to 
win title of SAFF U-19 Women's Championship beating India by a solitary goal 
in the final held today (Wednesday) at Birshrestha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad 
Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city's Kamalapur.

   It was the Bangladesh-India exciting final match the local crowd enjoyed 
after a long time. The crowds came to stadium to support the Bangladesh team 
and the girls also did not disappoint them by retaining the trophy of 
championship once again.

   Bangladesh launched attack in the beginning of the match by creating some 
scoring chances, but they could not convert any of them.

   After the 45 minutes end with the score in read goalless, both the teams 
tried heart and soul to break the deadlock. At one stage it was seemed the 
match was heading for extra time, but Bangladesh's best moment came in the 
81st minute when Anai Mogini finally broke the deadlock scoring the all-
important goal for Bangladesh in the 81st minute with a perfect lofting 
angular shot from far post.

   India however tried their best to stage a fight back in the match but 
could not convert any in the remaining proceeding.

   After the match, Bangladesh team's head coach Golam Robanni Choton in his 
immediate reaction said he is very happy of the team's result as it was the 
total hard work of the girls.

   He said the girls played good football in the group stage and proved that 
they are the only contender of the title.

   Choton also thanked the Bangladesh Football Federation's (BFF) president 
Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin, BFF women's wing chairman Mahfuza Akter Kiron, BFF 
technical director and concern officials for his team's victory.

   Shaheda Akter Ripa of Bangladesh emerged as the highest scorer (five 
goals) of the championship. She was also given the most valuable players 
award.

   State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Zahid Ahsan Russel,MP, was 
the chief guest in the final and distributed the prizes.

   BFF and SAFF president Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin and SAFF secretary Anwarul 
Haque Helal, were among others, present in the prize distribution ceremony.

   Bangladesh, earlier in their opening match, shared point with Nepal 
playing to a goalless draw, thrashed Bhutan by 6-0 goals, managed a solitary 
goal victory over India and dumped Sri Lanka by 12-0 goals to secure their 
spot of final.

   While Earlier India thrashed Sri Lanka by 5-0 goals in their opening match 
blanked Bhutan by 3-0 goals but lost to host Bangladesh by a solitary goal 
while Nepal in their first match, split point with Bangladesh playing out to 
a goalless draw, thrashed Sri Lanka by 6-0 goals, drubbed Bhutan by 4-0 goals 
and edged past Nepal by a solitary goal to secure their place of final. BSS