Sports Desk:

Bangladesh’s dream of lifting the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship suffered a major blow on Friday as they were held 1-1 by hosts Bhutan in Thimphu, leaving their title hopes hanging by a thread.

The draw, which saw Bhutan earn their first-ever point against Bangladesh in age-group SAFF football, means Bangladesh sit on 10 points from five matches. India, who lead the table with 12 points from four games, will be crowned champions if they beat Nepal later tonight, making Sunday’s Bangladesh–India clash a dead rubber.

Bangladesh began brightly, taking the lead in the sixth minute. A failed clearance from Bhutan goalkeeper Kelzang Wangmo fell kindly to Purnima Marma, who lobbed the ball expertly over the keeper to make it 1-0. The visitors continued to dominate, with striker Sauravi Akanda Prity twice coming close—one effort rattling the crossbar and another missing the target. Mamoni Chakma also delivered dangerous crosses that went unfinished.

Bhutan struck back just before halftime. Chorten Zangmo latched on to a long pass, shrugged off her marker, and beat goalkeeper Meghla Rani Roy with a low finish to level the score 1-1.

Bangladesh pressed hard after the break, with Mamoni, Prity, and Thuinuye Marma all creating chances, but poor finishing and Bhutan’s resilient defense kept them at bay. Another strike from Prity rattled the woodwork, summing up Bangladesh’s misfortune on the day.

Earlier in the tournament, Bangladesh had beaten Bhutan 3-1, but this stalemate leaves them relying on other results. Unless India slip up against Nepal, Bangladesh will be left to settle for runners-up despite their recent regional dominance in women’s football, which includes triumphs at U-20 and senior levels.