Sauravi Akanda Prity slammed a brilliant hat-trick as Bangladesh beat Nepal by 4-1 goals in their return match of the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship held at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, capital of Bhutan, today (Wednesday).

Apart from Prity’s hat-trick with three goals in the match, Thuinuye Marma supported her with a solitary goal for Bangladesh after leading the first half by 2-1 goals.

Nepalese skipper Bhumika Budathoki scored a lone goal for her team.

Despite the win, Bangladesh remained second position in the points table with nine points from four matches while Nepal remained with their previous collection of three points playing the same number of outings.

Table topper India still dominates the points table maintaining their all-win record with nine points, but they played one match less than Bangladesh.

Bangladesh started the game quite positively creating several scoring chances but failed to convert those into a goal lacking proper finishing.

Thuinuye Marma, however, broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. Receiving a pass from midfield she darted down for the right wing and sent the ball home with a perfect right footer angular shot, giving Bangladesh a deserving lead.

The second goal came for Bangladesh in the 45+1st minute. Sauravi Akanda Prity floated a powerful left-footed strike from inside the D-box, the ball went over the Nepalese goalie and crashed into the back of the net, giving Bangladesh a 2-0 lead.

Nepalese skipper Bhumika Budathoki reduced the margin for her team in the 45+3rd minute with a powerful lofted shot from the close range giving no chance to react Bangladesh custodian Yearzan under the bar.

After the breather, the third goal came for Bangladesh following a well-worked corner routine in the 71st minute. Unmarked Sauravi Akanda executed the goal with a tap from inside the small-D after utilizing a corner taken by Mamoni Chakma from the right flank, giving her team a healthy 3-1 lead.

Prity sealed the victory for Bangladesh in the 87th minute. Purnima Marma darted down from the right wing and provided a cross to Prity who made no mistake to execute the goal from the close range — completing her first hat-trick in the tournament.
Earlier, Bangladesh made a winning start in the tournament beating host Bhutan 3-1, but lost to India by 2-0 goals. The girls in red and green, however, returned their winning streak by defeating Nepal by 3-0 goals.

On the other hand, Nepal suffered a massive 7-0 defeat to India in their opening match but they beat Bhutan 2-1 in their second match.

Nepal, however, lost to Bangladesh 3-0 in their third match of the tournament.

Bangladesh will play their remaining matches against Bhutan and India on August 29 and 31 respectively at the same venue.