Forward Sagorika scored a hat-trick as defending champions Bangladesh thrashed Sri Lanka by 9-1 in their SAFF Under-20 Women鈥檚 Championship 2025 opener at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the city on Friday.
Peter Butler鈥檚 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.聽
Aside from Sagorika, midfielders Munki Akhter and Sinha Jahan Shikha scored a brace each, while three other midfielders鈥擲apna Rani, Rupa Akter, and Shanti Mardi鈥攅ach 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.
鈥楧ifficult condition to play fast. We were wasteful in front of goal,鈥� Butler said. 鈥榃e scored nine, but I think we could鈥檝e been more clinical. And I鈥檓 disappointed with the goal we conceded at the end.鈥�
鈥楾he field was very heavy. It didn鈥檛 help our tempo. But that鈥檚 part of the game鈥攚e have to manage these things. It鈥檚 the same for all teams,鈥� 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.聽
