Forward Mirajul Islam scored a brace as Bangladesh clinched the maiden SAFF U-20 Championship title beating host Nepal by 4-1 goals in the final held at ANFA Complex in Nepal on Wednesday, reports BSS.
Apart from forward Mirajul Islam two goals in each half, Rabby Hossen Rahul and Piash Ahmed Nova supported him with a lone goal apiece in the second half to secure Bangladesh emphatic victory in the Nepal soil. Samir Tamang scored alone goal for Nepal.
At the end of the 45 minutes regulation time, the referee added two minutes of injury time. Bangladesh took the lead at that injury time from a free kick. Forward Mirajul Islam was fouled by Nepalese defender when he attempted to enter with the ball to the danger zone. Referee pointed the free kick and Mirajul made no mistake to convert the free kick with a fierce shot from the outside the D-box.
Back with a 1-0 lead, Bangladesh came to the field with more organised and added three more goal in the second half.
Mirajul, who emerged as the highest scorer with four goals in the tournament, again doubled the lead in the 54th minute. After receiving a cross from the left wing, he sent the ball to the net with a brilliant header to make the margin 2-0. After falling behind by two goals, Nepal could not return to normal rhythm.
Bangladesh continued to dominate and Rabby scored the third goal for Bangladesh in the 69th minute.
Despite getting more scoring chances than Bangladesh in the proceeding, Nepal got their first goal in the 80th minute when Samir Tamang pulled one back with a header in the 80th minute taking the chance of mistake by defender and goal keeper.
Nova sealed Bangladesh's comprehensive victory in the 95th minute of the match.
Earlier, Bangladesh lost to Nepal by 2-1 goal in the group phase match.
The jump-packed local crowds supported the two times champions Nepal team throughout the stadium. Nepal dominated the match of first half and missed some scoring opportunities. The hosts were ahead in ball possession and attack but they could not take lead lacks of the proper finishing.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
