Girls in red and green make a fitting start

Bangladesh's bid to defend the title of SAFF U-18 Women's Championship got off to a flying start as the girls in red and green handed a convincing 4-2 defeat to Nepal at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Thursday night. 

Bangladesh U-18 starting eleven against Nepal. Photo: BFF

Afeida Khandakar, Aklima Khatun, Eity Khatun and Shaheda Aktar Ripa struck one goal apiece for Bangladesh, and all before half time, while Dipa Shahi and Amisha Kharki could only reduce the margin for Nepal, who had lost their first match 7-0 against hosts India. 

Bangladesh wasted no time from kick off and struck early in the very first minute as defender Afeida made use of her height and headed home following a corner kick. However, Nepal equalised in the 30th minute through a counter attack with Dipa finding the top corner from a long-ranger. But soon, the defending champions stamped their authority and decided the outcome of match in their favour.

And three minutes into conceding the lead, Aklima raced and pierced into the box through the spine of Nepal defence and slotted past the onrushing Nepal goalkeeper. 

Nepalese girls could not quite recover afterwards as Eity widened the margin with a dipping shot from outside the box two minutes later while forward Ripa found the target at the second attempt to kill the game off minutes before half time.

Bangladesh U-18s celebrate a goal. Photo: BFF

Several chances had gone begging for Bangladesh throughout the game and in the stoppage time, Amisha found a consolation goal for Nepal.

Bangladesh are scheduled to play their second match against India on Saturday in the three-nation tournament.