Nepal triumphed over Bangladesh with a 2-1 victory, solidifying their position as group A winners in the U20 SAFF Championship 2024.
Nepal came out strong from the very start, with Sameer Tamang finding the back of the net in the 17th minute. Just two minute later, Nirajan Dhami doubled the lead, putting Nepal in a commanding position at 2-0 within the first 19 minutes.
However, Bangladesh wasn’t ready to back down. They managed to claw their way back into the match with a crucial penalty conversion by Mirajul Islam in the 43rd minute, just before the halftime whistle. Despite their efforts, Nepal’s defense held strong throughout the second half, ensuring that the scoreline remained unchanged.
This victory not only maintains Nepal’s unbeaten record against Bangladesh at the U18, U19, and U20 levels in the SAFF Championship, but it also secures their place as the group winners. Bangladesh, despite their loss, finished second in the group A and will advance to the next stage.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s hopes have already ended after losing both of their group matches, leaving them out of the competition.
Nepal’s win has set the stage for an exciting journey ahead in the tournament. The team’s early goals and solid defensive performance in the second half show their determination to go all the way.