Bangladesh Saff U-20 Champions with 4-1 win over hosts Nepal

Bangladesh won their first Saff U-20 Championship by defeating hosts Nepal 4-1 in the final at Kathmandu. 

It was more or less smooth sailing for Bangladesh as they took a 3-0 lead with minutes to go before the full 90 minutes were completed.

Nepal did get one back then but Bangladesh scored once again in the 10 minutes of extra time given to finish the game 4-1.

Bangladesh had earlier lost to Nepal 2-1 in the group stages but won when it mattered most. 

Mirajul Islam delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice and assisting another, as Bangladesh secured their first-ever SAFF U-20 Championship title with a commanding 4-1 victory over hosts Nepal in the final held in Lalitpur.

The Bangladesh No. 10 broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time with a stunning free-kick before heading home from close range nine minutes into the second half, doubling the lead and edging Bangladesh closer to their maiden SAFF trophy at this level, having finished runners-up three times before.

Rahul then extended the lead in the 71st minute with a curling strike from inside the box, set up by Mirajul, who weaved his way through Nepal's defense with some impressive footwork.

Despite Nepal, two-time champions, dominating possession in the first half and creating a few chances on their home turf at the ANFA Complex, Maruful Haque's Bangladesh side were ruthlessly efficient. Mirajul's clinical finishing, which saw him top the tournament's scoring chart with four goals in as many games, proved decisive.

Although Nepal managed to pull one back through Samir Tamang in the 80th minute, Piash Ahmed Nova's goal in stoppage time sealed an emphatic win for Bangladesh. This victory also served as sweet revenge for the Boys in Red and Green, who had suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nepal in the group stages.