Bangladesh may have surrendered their regional crown, but the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship concluded with a resounding personal triumph for one of the nation’s brightest prospects. While the team suffered a stinging 4-0 defeat at the hands of India in the final at Pokhara, Nepal, forward Alpi Akter emerged as the individual star of the tournament, claiming both the Golden Boot and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards.
A Bitter-Sweet Finale in Pokhara
The final match was a one-sided affair, with India’s dominant display ensuring the trophy returned to New Delhi. Bangladesh’s “Red and Green” brigade struggled to breach the Indian defence, leaving the pitch as runners-up. However, as the closing ceremony commenced, the spotlight shifted to Alpi, the prolific forward from Panchagarh, whose extraordinary performance throughout the group stages earned her the tournament’s highest individual honours.
Alpi’s double victory mirrors the historic achievement of her compatriot, Sagarika, who performed the same feat in 2024. Despite the visible disappointment of the team’s loss, Alpi was congratulated on stage by SAFF President Kazi Salahuddin and Mahfuza Akter, Chairman of the BFF Women’s Wing.
Tournament Statistics and Individual Honours
Alpi Akter’s path to the Golden Boot was marked by clinical finishing and technical flair. Although she was kept quiet by the Indian backline in the final, her contribution during the league phase was indispensable.
| Award | Winner | Achievement/Note |
| Most Valuable Player | Alpi Akter (BAN) | Exceptional ball control and leadership |
| Highest Goal Scorer | Alpi Akter (BAN) | 7 Goals (Including 2 Hat-tricks) |
| Best Goalkeeper | Munni (IND) | Clean sheet in the final |
| Fair Play Award | India | Commendable discipline throughout |
The Road to the Golden Boot
Bangladesh scored a total of 18 goals during the league stage of the four-nation tournament, with Alpi personally accounting for nearly 40% of that tally. Her campaign was defined by two spectacular hat-tricks:
Against Bhutan: A ruthless display of finishing that set the tone for the tournament.
Against Nepal: A match-winning performance that effectively guaranteed Bangladesh a spot in the final.
Her ability to dismantle defences with pace and precision made her the unanimous choice for the tournament’s best player. While the collective ambition of retaining the title fell short, Alpi Akter’s individual brilliance provides a glimmer of hope for the future of Bangladeshi women’s football. Her performance suggests that she is not merely a regional talent, but a striker capable of competing on a much broader stage.
