In the opening match of Under 15 SAFF Championship 2017, Bangladesh has won the opening match easily over Sri Lanka by 4-0. Bangladesh is the defending champions as they nailed last year's version of the tournament by winning against India over penalty shootouts.

It is the first time SAFF being played as under 15 age catagory tournament. Last three tournaments was played as under 16 age category. First of its kind, Under 15 SAFF Championship was inaugurated by Minister for Youth & Sports of Nepal, Mr.Rajendra Kumar KC.

Champion Bangladesh started the match stronger than Sri Lanka and dominated match with ball possession for most of the time. Bangladesh seems to be very confident on the pitch as they kept creating couple of good attacks from the very beginning of the match while Lanka was busy defending them. As a result first yellow card of the match was shown to Sri Lanka player Nabeel for a foul to Bangladesh and referee signaled first free kick of the match at the 22nd minute.

Four minutes later Sri Lanka was force to make their first substitution as their player, Chanod was injured after colliding to an opponent player and Diniayas came as the replacement.

First goal of the match by Bangladesh came from Foysal at the  28^th minute. Foysal is among the very talented players of Bangladesh team. A wonderfull power shot by Foysal from the outside of the penalty area left Sri Lanka keeper Sandeep in no choice as the ball hit the right top corner giving the lead for Bangladesh side.

Bangladesh kept making danger to the Sri Lanka goal one by another. Just after four minutes to match opener by Foysal, he scored his second and Bangladesh double the lead by a brilliant free kick at the 32^th minute.

Sri Lanka goal keeper Sandeep kept giving his best to stop the Bangladesh non-stop attacks despite he had conceded two goal from the young lions side. It did not take too long for Bangladesh to score the third of the evening. Just before the half time Nazmoul made it 3-0 by a brilliant strike from outside of the box, again leaving opponent goal keeper action less.

Both team began the second half with a substitution. Sri Lanka goal keeper Sandeep was replaced with reserve goalie, Wijesooriya, after he made triple conceding during the first half. From Bangladesh, third goal scorer Nazmoul was subbed off for Runi Haider.

Bangladesh kept their dominance on the pitch as first half, creating continues attacks. Sri Lanka made their final and third substitution at the 56^th minute, Karim Shadin for Habibur Rahman. Sri Lanka was busy defending Bangladesh juniors all over the match. It was believed that after three goals during first half, Bangladesh will manage to score more in the second part of the match. But somehow Sri Lanka young lions manage to stop Bangladesh by one way or another, from scoring another until the 77^th minute.

Sri Lanka was penalized by a penalty for bringing down Bangladesh players Yasin by a defender. Having made his mark already in the first half by two goals Foysal managed to score his hatrick from the spot making the score 4-0 for Bangladesh.

Match ended well for Bangladesh and for Foysal as he was named as the man of the match. It was a devastating defeat for the young lions, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has already lost their two friendlies to Maldives a week ago. With this win after a very good match and Bhutan to next in the line, Bangladesh makes very strong chances for semifinals.

Speaking to post match press, Bangladesh coach Mostafa Anwar said that “ I am very happy with the result, we made very good attacks, and yes we could have score more goals. I am also very happy for Foysal. He is among the very talented group players in our team. I hope they continue to play this level in the future games. Sri Lanka played more defensively.”

Sri Lanka coach Suzuki Chikasi said that, “ The result is good, it is acceptable regarding to our standards. Bangladesh have very technically good players. We played focusing on defense.”

Next fixture of the tournament:

India vs Maldives, 19^th August, 14:00 hrs (Maldives time), at ANFA Complex Stadium, Nepal.

(Photo: GoalNepal.Com)