Bangladeshi forward Sagorika scored a hat-trick as defending champions Bangladesh thrashed Sri Lanka by 9-1 in their SAFF Under-20 Women’s Championship 2025 opener at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the city on Friday.
Peter Butler’s charges dominated the visitors from the start, as they finished the first half by 3-0, before scoring six more goals in the second half.
Aside from Sagorika, midfielders Munki Akhter and Sinha Jahan Shikha scored a brace each, while three other midfielders—Sapna Rani, Rupa Akter, and Shanti Mardi—each added a goal for Bangladesh.
Sapna and Munki netted in the second and fifth minutes, respectively.
Sagorika opened her account in the 37th minute, before Munki increased the margin to 5-0, completing her brace in the 48th minute. Shikha added another goal in the 50th minute.
Sagorika scored two more goals in quick succession, in the 53rd and 58th minutes to complete her treble, while Rupa scored in the 86th minute. Shikha completed her brace just minutes before the final whistle.
Layansika pulled one back for Sri Lanka in the second minute of stoppage time, before Shanti scored in the dying moments of the game.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, coach Butler praised the win but highlighted areas of concern.
‘Difficult condition to play fast. We were wasteful in front of goal,’ Butler said. ‘We scored nine, but I think we could’ve been more clinical. And I’m disappointed with the goal we conceded at the end.’
‘The field was very heavy. It didn’t help our tempo. But that’s part of the game—we have to manage these things. It’s the same for all teams,’ he added.
In this four-team championship, played in a double-leg format, each team will face every other twice, with the top team crowned as champions.
Bangladesh will face Nepal in their next match on Sunday.
They will also play against Bhutan on July 15 and 17, before meeting Sri Lanka again on July 19 and Nepal on July 21
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