The SAFF U19 Women’s Championship kicked off between four teams at Pokhara Stadium on Saturday, with India and Bangladesh emerging victorious over Nepal and Bhutan, respectively.

While Bhutan suffered a heavy defeat to Bangladesh, Nepal lost 0-1 to their neighbour. Bangladesh, while keeping a clean sheet, hammered a dozen goals against Bhutan.

In the opening match of the tournament, the goals started raining over Bhutan from the 28th minute, with Mamoni Chakma becoming the first goal scorer of the event.

By the end of the first half, Bangladesh, the joint defending champions alongside India, were leading 4-0 with a goal from Sree Moti Trishna Rani (43rd) and a brace from Most Munki Akhter (44th and 45+3).

Both Rani and Akhter went on to complete their individual hat-tricks in the second half. Akhter scored her third and fourth goals in the 81st and 90+3 minutes, respectively, while Rani was subbed off in the 66th minute after scoring two more goals in the 54th and 60th minutes.

Alpi Akter also scored a hat-trick after finding the back of the net in the 73rd, 86th and 90+5 minutes. The other goal was scored in 90+4 minutes by Arpita Biswas Arpita.

Bhutan substituted their goalkeeper Sonam Choden in the 57th minute, while they were trailing by five goals. This, however, didn’t help their cause much. Kelzang Wangmo came in front of the goalpost, but went on to concede seven more.

Meanwhile, Nepal, the hosts, were able to deny India a strong win. India missed several chances, while some good shots on the target were saved by goalkeeper Jharna Dumrakoti.

Dumrakoti had also saved the shot from substitute Pritika Barman, who shot from the right flank inside the box in the 49th minute. But Pearl Fernandes stepped up to capitalise on the rebound.

There were not many chances where Nepal troubled India, a team that had come into the tournament with a much younger team. India are in the U19 tournament with their U17 team, which is preparing for the upcoming AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup, which is kicking off in April in China.

In the tournament being played in a single round-robin format, Nepal will face Bhutan on Monday at 3 pm. Earlier in the day, India will play Bangladesh at 12pm.