Bangladesh’s women’s football team secured the championship in dominant fashion, defeating Nepal 4-0 in their final round-robin match at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Monday (July 21).
The win confirmed Bangladesh as undefeated champions, having won all six of their matches in the four-nation tournament.
Forward Sagarika was the star of the match, scoring all four goals for the home side. Her performance marked a remarkable return to form after serving a three-match suspension.
The match began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the tragic Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara, which occurred earlier in the day. The somber moment set the tone for a spirited and emotional game.
Bangladesh dominated from the outset. In just the second minute, Sagarika tested the Nepal goalkeeper with an early effort. She broke the deadlock in the 8th minute, timing her run perfectly to beat the offside trap and finishing with a sharp diagonal shot.
Nepal nearly equalised in the 18th minute due to a defensive error, but the ball rebounded off the post. Bangladesh came out even stronger in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Sagarika netted her second with a composed finish after controlling a pass with her first touch.
She completed her hat-trick minutes later, lobbing the ball over the goalkeeper from a long ball received near the edge of the box. Her fourth came in the 76th minute following a solo run that sliced through Nepal’s defence before calmly placing the ball past the keeper.
Coach Peter James Butler substituted Sagarika after her four-goal haul to a round of applause from teammates and fans.
Sagarika had earlier scored a hat-trick against Sri Lanka in Bangladesh’s 9-1 victory at the start of the tournament but missed three subsequent matches due to a red card against Nepal. Her return proved crucial as she led the team to victory and the title.
Bangladesh topped the table with a perfect record of six wins and 18 points. Nepal finished second with 12 points.
MSK/
