Sports Desk:

After a thumping victory against Sri Lanka, defending champions Bangladesh face Nepal in their second match of four- nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-20 Women’s Championship 2025 scheduled to be held at Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital on Sunday.

The match kicks off at 7:00bpm, following the day’s another match between Sri Lanka and Bhutan

that begins at 3 pm at the same venue.

The tournament favorite Bangladesh earlier thrashed Sri Lanka by 9-1 goals, courtesy of a brilliant hat-trick by Sagorika and Captain Afeida Khandakar must be looking forward to the same performance from her teammates against Nepal.

Apart from Sagorika’s hat-trick, Mst Munki Akhter struck twice to secure Bangladesh commanding victory.

Nepal, on the other hand, rode on a hat-trick by the Nepalese forward Purnima Roy, also made a strong start in the tournament defeating Bhutan by 6-1 goals in their opening match. Purnima’s hat-trick studded with four goals.

Bangladesh will play their remaining match against Bhutan on July 15 and 17, Sri Lanka on July 19 and then Nepal on July 21.

Only four teams– Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka– are participating in the sixth edition of the tournament.

The team that tops the league table after a double round-robin will be crowned champion.

BANGLADESH SQUAD:

Swarna Rani Mandal, Nabiran Khatun, Mst Joynob Bibi Rita, Afeida Khandaker (captain), Mst Surma Jannat, Kanon Rani Bahadur, Sapna Rani, Mst Oeyshi  Khatun, Sree Moti Trishna Rani, Mst Sagorika, Umehla Marma, Ayonto Bala  Mahato, Rupa Akter, Mst Bonna Khatun, Most Munki Akhter, Kanom Akter, Mst  Ruma Akter, Puja Das, Sinha Jahan Shikha, Shanti Mardi, Nadia Akter Juti,  Mile Akter and Mst Fardosi Akter Shonale.