Super-sub Trishna Rani scored in injury time as defending champions Bangladesh overcame a stern Nepal test with a 3-2 win in their second match of the SAFF Under-20 Women鈥檚 Championship at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the city on Sunday.
Bangladesh went into the break with a 2-0 lead, with midfielders Sinha Jahan Shikha and Sagorika scoring a goal apiece, while Nepal drew level through Anisha Rai and Meena Debua before Thishna made two wins in as many games for the hosts.
Shikha gave Bangladesh the lead in the 14th minute when her right-footed drive from inside the six-yard box entered the far post.
Nepal came close in the 17th minute, but defender Anisha Rai鈥檚 free-kick from on top of the box jolted the crossbar.
Sagorika, who scored a hat-trick in Bangladesh鈥檚 9-1 win against Sri Lanka, doubled the margin in the 36th minute with a tap-in from the goalmouth.
Bangladesh and Nepal both were reduced to 10-a-side in the 56th minute when Bhutanese referee Yangkhey Tsering gave marching orders to Sagorika and Simran Rai following a brawl.
Nepal returned to the game when defender Anisha converted a spot kick in the 77th minute after Bangladesh defender Joynob Bibi Rrita brought down Nepal player Meena Debua inside the box.
Debua made it 2-2 in the 86th minute with a tap-in. When it seemed the match was ending towards a draw, Thrisna鈥檚 right-footed drive from inside the box found the back of the net in the final minute of the 12-minute stoppage time.
With the win, Bangladesh remained on top of the four-team table with six points from two games.
In Sunday鈥檚 first match, Sri Lanka conceded a 5-0 defeat to Bhutan, who suffered a 6-1 defeat to Nepal in their first match on Friday.
With India skipping out of the competition without showing any specific reason, Bangladesh and last edition runners-up Nepal have become the top two title contenders for winning this year鈥檚 competition.
In the tournament, each team will play each other twice, and the top team will emerge as champions.
Bangladesh will play their next match against Bhutan on July 15 and 17 before facing Sri Lanka again on July 19 and Nepal on July 21.