Bangladesh claimed the SAFF U-15 Championship football tournament defeating Pakistan 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in the final on Saturday.

Held at the at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, substitute goalkeeper Md Mehedi Hasan starred for Bangladesh blocking three shots from the spot. The match was forced into tiebreaker after the regulation 90 minutes of play finished in 1-1 deadlock. Bangladesh had also won their semi-finals against India on penalties.

Bangladesh was under firm control of the match but failed to capitalise on its dominance. In the 17th minute Md Nihat Jaman Ucchash race with the ball from the midfield only to shoot off target. Bangladeshi pressure finally told in the 25th minute as Pakistan skipper Haseeb Ahmed Khan put the ball into his own net. Ibne Ahad Sakil delivered a corner and in an attempt to clear the ball from the crowded area, Khan conceded an own goal.

Pakistan levelled the scores 10th minute into second half after Bangladeshi defender Helal Ahmed brought down Pakistan forward Mudassar Nazar inside the area. Mohib Ullah stepped in to convert the resulting penalty. Pakistan survived a big scare in the 74th minute when Rasel Ahmed headed Sakil corner forced custodian Muhammad Awais to a diving save. Bangladesh replaced first-choice goalkeeper Mitul Marma with Hasan in the 89th minute and the move worked wonders for coach Mostofa Anowar Parvez.  

In the tiebreaker, both Bangladesh and Pakistan failed to score their first attempt. Md Rajon Howladar fired above bar for Bangladesh and Junaid Ahmed Shah was denied by the goalkeeper for Pakistan. Bangladesh’s next three penalty takers Tuhidul Islam Riday, Md Raja Ansari and Md Rostom Islam Dukhu Mia all converted from spots. Pakistan’s second penalty taker Adnan Justin was again denied by goalie Hasan while Mohin Ullah and Wasif converted their shots. Bangladesh’s Rabiul Alam and Pakistan’s Mudassar Nazar both failed to convert their fifth shot.

Earlier, in the third-place playoff, India defeated Nepal 1-0. Thlacheu Vanlalruatfela struck the lone goal in the 18th minute. Along with the trophy Bangladesh also bagged fair play award while its forward Nihat Jaman Ucchash won the highest scorer award for his four goals in the tournament.