Bangladesh defeat Pakistan in SAFF U-20 Championship

Bangladesh secured a convincing victory over Pakistan in their opening match of the SAFF U-20 Championship, with young expatriate footballer Ronan Sullivan scoring twice to boost the team’s chances of reaching the semifinals.

The seven-team tournament is divided into two groups, with Bangladesh drawn in Group B alongside India and Pakistan. A win in the opening match has put Bangladesh in a strong position to advance to the next stage.

Bangladesh struggled in the first half but staged a strong comeback in the second, with Ronan Sullivan opening the scoring in the 54th minute from a free-kick and doubling the lead in the 67th minute with a header from Sheikh Songram’s long cross.

It also missed scoring opportunities, including a chance by Morad Ali in the 56th minute. A Pakistani goal in the 61st minute was disallowed due to a foul.

Bangladesh will face India in their final group match. If Pakistan beats India beforehand, Bangladesh will need at least a draw to secure a semifinal spot. The match will also determine the group leader.

RI/MHK