Manik header sends Bangladesh into SAFF U-20 final

A first-half goal from Mohammad Manik steered Bangladesh into the final of the SAFF U-20 Championship with a 1-0 win over Nepal in the first semifinal at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives, on Wednesday.

The victory secured Bangladesh’s sixth final appearance in the competition, barring the 2023 edition, but it was far from straightforward. After dominating the opening half, the men in red and green were forced to withstand sustained pressure from former champions Nepal.

With head coach Mark Cox serving a suspension from the stands, assistant coach Atiqur Rahman Meshu took charge on the touchline. Bangladesh started brightly, creating several chances early on, but ultimately had to rely on a single goal to see them through.

That decisive moment came in the 11th minute, when Manik headed home from close range following a well-weighted lob by Murshed Ali. Earlier, Murshed had also set up Namul Islam Faisal, who squandered a clear chance in the seventh minute by driving wide from inside the box.

Bangladesh thought they had doubled their lead in the following minute through US-based forward Ronan Sullivan, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

At the other end, goalkeeper Ismail Hossain Mahin produced a crucial save to deny Nepal’s Subash Bam from close range, preserving the advantage.

Faisal was later denied again, his goal-bound header kept out by Nepal goalkeeper Pemba Nurbu Bhote, as Bangladesh went into the break on top.

The second half, however, belonged largely to Nepal. They applied relentless pressure in search of an equaliser, but Bangladesh’s defence held firm. The closest Nepal came was in the 90th minute, when Yousuf Ali blocked a powerful effort from substitute Anubhab Puri.

Bangladesh had chances to put the game beyond doubt in stoppage time. Substitute Sumon Soren’s flick from a Declan Sullivan delivery drifted just wide of the near post, before Ronan saw his close-range effort from Declan’s pass denied by Bhote.

Despite those missed opportunities, Bangladesh held on to secure their place in the final on April 3, where they will face the winners of the second semifinal between India and Bhutan.