Bangladesh retain title, beat Nepal

Sagarika returned against Nepal after a three-match ban. She once again shone with a hat-trick, leading Bangladesh to a dominant victory and helping them retain the SAFF Women's U-20 Championship title undefeated.

Bangladesh defeated Nepal 4-0 in their final round-robin league match at Bashundhara Kings Arena in the city on Monday, with Sagarika scoring all the goals, report agencies.

Bangladesh secured the top spot in this four-team tournament, winning all six of their matches consecutively and accumulating 18 points. Nepal finished as the runners-up.

At the start of the match, a minute of silence was observed at Milestone School and College in memory of those who were injured or died in the training aircraft crash. The game began in a somber atmosphere, with Bangladesh immediately pressing Nepal's defense. Sagarika, returning from her ban, led the attack.

Sagarika had received a red card and was suspended for three matches in the season's first encounter against Nepal, which Bangladesh won 3-2. In the second minute, Nepal's goalkeeper had to make a diving save to barely keep out Sagarika's shot aimed at the near post. A moment later, Shanti Mardi got the ball in front of goal but couldn't get a touch on it.

Maintaining their pressure, Bangladesh scored in the eighth minute. Sagarika broke through the offside trap to control a teammate's through pass, then rounded the onrushing goalkeeper and scored with a precise angled shot.

Even as the joy of that goal lingered, Sagarika was already celebrating a hat-trick. The forward chipped a long cross from midfield over the goalkeeper's head and into the net. She had also achieved a hat-trick in the 9-1 rout against Sri Lanka. In the 76th minute, Sagarika further extended the lead, skillfully maneuvering the ball past the goalkeeper with her footwork to score.