Bangladesh under-17 women got off to a winning start in the SAFF Championship, beating Bhutan 3–1 in Thimphu on Wednesday.
Forward Alpi Akter scored twice and Souravi Akanda added one to give Bangladesh a comfortable win.
It didn’t come easy early on. The first half saw plenty of chances but little composure in front of goal. The deadlock broke in the 48th minute when Bhutan keeper Kelzang Wangmo spilled a shot and Souravi tapped in.
Six minutes later, Alpi struck from distance to make it 2–0. Bhutan refused to fold, pulling one back through Rinzin Dema in the 61st minute after Meghla Rani failed to hold a long-range effort.
Any nerves were settled quickly. From a corner four minutes later, Alpi turned up in the crowded box and finished coolly for her second of the match.
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Bangladesh have collected seven SAFF titles across age groups but never one in the under-17s. This year’s format — four teams playing each other twice — leaves them with a real chance to change that.
Next up is India on August 22. The team will then meet Nepal twice before closing against Bhutan and India again at the end of the month.