Bangladesh emerge group top in SAFF U-15 Championship

Ten men Bangladesh U-15 national football team emerged group top in the SAFF U-15 Championship beating host Nepal U-15 football team by 2-1 goals in their second and final group A encounter held on Monday at All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) complex ground in Kathmandu, Nepal, BSS reported.

Bangladesh will now play the group B runners-up India in the first semi-final that will be followed by second semifinal between group B champions Pakistan and group A runners-up Nepal.

Both the semi-finals will be played on November 1 at the same venue. In the day’s match, midfielder Ibne Ahad Sakil scored both goals for the winners while Jaan Limbu scored the lone goal for the losers.

Bangladesh custodian Mitul Marma was shown red card for his unsporting behavior in the 33rd minute of the match. Earlier, the boys in red and green stormed into the semi-final crushing the Maldives by 9-0 goals in their opening group A match.

Bangladesh, the champions of the 2015 edition, ensured the last four spot after host Nepal blanked the Maldives 4-0 in the first game of the three-team group.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the last four stage scheduled to be held on November 1 while the final of the championship is slated on November 3 following the third place deciding match.

Squad:

Bangladesh U-15 team: Rabiul Alam, Labibur Rahman, Rajon Howladar, Mohammad Raful Rahim, Mohammad Mahedi Hasan, Nihat Jaman Ucchash, Tuhidul Islam Riday, Rostom Islam Dukhu Mia, Raja Ansari, Sagor Sorkar, M Maruf Ahmed Mugdho, Ariful Haque Shemanto, Najmul Ahmed Sakil, Al Amin, Abu Taleb Pavez, Moinul Islam Moin, Kamran Uddin Raju, Mitul Marma, Mehedi Hasan, Helal Ahmed, Ashikur Rahman, Ibne Ahad Sakil and Rasel Ahmed.