Bangladesh become U-15 SAFF champion

Bangladesh age-group male football team have become the champion of the SAFF U-15 Football Championship after beating arch rival Pakistan in a penalty shootout in Nepal on Saturday.

It was the second occasion the boys in red and green lifted the trophy of SAFF Championship after 2015 SAFF edition, reports BSS.

The match rolled into a tie breaker after the regulation time ended in a 1-1 goal draw.

Bangladesh brought on goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan for the penalties and following his impressive performance against India, he turned out to be the hero once again, blocking three penalties in the final.

In the regulation time, Bangladesh took lead in the 25th minute after a corner kick was headed in to his own net by a Pakistani defender Haseeb Ahmed Khan.

After the resumption, a needless challenge from left-back Helal Ahmed resulted in a penalty for Pakistan which Mohibullah dispatched it in to the net.

Earlier on the day, India finished third position the tournament with a solitary goal victory over Nepal in the third place-deciding encounter held at the same venue.

Thlacheu Vanlalruatfela scored the decisive goal for India in the 18th minute of the match.

Earlier, Bangladesh beat India by 4-2 goals in penalty shootout in the first semifinal while Pakistan blanked host Nepal by 4-0 goals in the second semis.

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.