U-20 star Mirajul honour Abu Saeed and Mughdho with goal in Nepal

In a poignant gesture amidst political upheaval, Bangladesh's U-20 football team is competing in the SAFF U-20 Championship in Kathmandu, Nepal, marking their first international appearance since the recent political changes in Bangladesh.

During their opening match against Sri Lanka, Mirajul Islam scored a goal that carried deep significance.

In the 18th minute, Mirajul's decisive strike put Bangladesh ahead. As he celebrated, he wore a T-shirt over his jersey with a special message dedicated to Abu Saeed and Mir Mughdho, two students who lost their lives in recent protests. The T-shirt read: "In memory of Mughdho and Abu Saeed / Remember the fight and the bloodshed for our country."

By halftime, Bangladesh led 1-0. Although international football regulations often penalise such personal messages with a yellow card, Mirajul took the risk to honor the two young men. The referee did issue a yellow card, but Mirajul's tribute remained a powerful symbol of solidarity and remembrance.

Abu Saeed, a student from Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, was shot by police during protests for quota reforms on July 16. His defiant stance in front of the authorities led to his tragic death. Just two days later, Mir Mughdho from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) in Dhaka was also fatally shot while assisting fellow protesters.

The videos of these incidents, widely shared on social media, fueled a wave of nationwide protests. The tragic events contributed to significant political turmoil, culminating in the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5. Mirajul's tribute in Nepal serves as a powerful reminder of the recent struggles faced by Bangladesh and the resilience of its people.

Later Ahmed Nova's goal,secured the win for Bangladesh U-20 as they begin their journey to reach at least the semi-final round of the tournament.