Forward Mirajul Islam scored a brace as Bangladesh beat host Nepal by 4-1 goals in the final match of the SAFF U-20 Championship held at ANFA Complex in Nepal on Wednesday.
Mirajul Islam stole the show with a brace and an assist for the third goal netted by Rabbi Hossain Rahul while Piash Ahmed Nova added the other in the extra time, reports BSS.
Mirajul opened the scoring at the end of the first half with a fantastic free-kick that has both power and accuracy giving the home keeper no chance.
The young forward doubled the lead soon after the break as the visitors looked more organized and disciplined in the second half to keep the lead and extend it till the final whistle.
It was Nepal that had been dominating before the opening goal. Md Asif made a spectacular save in the 9th minute as the semifinal shootout hero tipped away Nirajan Dhami’s long-range effort directed toward the topmost line of the goalpost.
Nirajan created two chances for the teammates. He set up Samir with a defence-splitting lob but Bangladesh's defence blocked the attempt on the edge of the box.
From a cutback of Nirajan, Abhinash missed a good chance as he was unmarked with the ball inside the box but he shot wide in a hurried effort.
Bangladesh had a chance in the 23rd minute when full-back Rostom Mia headed over the woodwork following a corner.
Mirajul broke the deadlock with a lovely free-kick in the stroke of the first half that fired into the top right corner. He also earned the set piece just around 20 yards out.
It was Mirajul’s third goal in the competition. He had scored one against Sri Lanka during a 2-0 win and added another against Nepal after coming on as a substitute.
Mirajul became the joint top scorer of the tournament along with Nirajan Dhami.
He needed just a touch from almost the goal line to get the second goal of the final and take a solo lead in the top scorers list with four goals. He ensured Asadul Molla’s header in Asadul Islam’s long cross hit the back of the net with a header.
Rabbi Hossain Rahul made it 3-0 in the 71st minute with a shot into the far left of the goalkeeper. Mirajul provided the assist with a short pass inside the box.
The hosts scored a consolation through Samir Tamang’s header in the 81st minute. Piash Ahmed Nova sealed the victory six minutes into the 10-minute stoppage time.
