The Bangladesh Under-19 women’s football team were unable to defend their crown at the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship, falling to a clinical 4-0 defeat against India in the final. While the collective result at the Pokhara Stadium in Nepal was a source of heartbreak for the “Red and Greens,” the tournament will be remembered for the individual brilliance of Alpi Akter. The emerging forward from Panchagarh etched her name into regional football history by securing a prestigious “double”—winning both the Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards.
A Masterclass in the Group Stages
Although Alpi was kept quiet by a disciplined Indian defence during the final, her journey to the podium was built on a series of breathtaking performances during the league phase. Of the 18 goals scored by Bangladesh leading up to the final, Alpi accounted for nearly 40% of the tally.
Her campaign was defined by ruthless efficiency in front of goal:
Two Consecutive Hat-tricks: She dismantled the defences of both Bhutan and Nepal with clinical finishing.
Crucial Goals: Her treble against the hosts, Nepal, was the decisive factor that propelled Bangladesh into the championship match.
Technical Artistry: Beyond the statistics, the tournament judges highlighted her superior ball control, spatial awareness, and ability to lead the frontline under pressure.
Tournament Honours and Statistics
The closing ceremony, attended by SAFF President Kazi Salahuddin, saw Bangladesh’s Alpi Akter dominate the individual accolades despite the team’s runners-up finish.
| Award | Recipient | Nationality | Achievement / Note |
| Most Valuable Player | Alpi Akter | Bangladesh | Tournament’s best all-round performer |
| Top Scorer (Golden Boot) | Alpi Akter | Bangladesh | 7 Goals (including 2 hat-tricks) |
| Best Goalkeeper | Munni | India | Clean sheet in the final |
| Fair Play Award | Team India | India | Best disciplinary record |
Echoes of Past Glory
Alpi’s dual achievement mirrors the feat of her compatriot, Sagarika, who in 2024 also claimed both the Golden Boot and the MVP award in the same age category. By replicating this success, Alpi has solidified her status as one of the most promising talents in South Asian football.
While the sting of the final loss was visible as she accepted her trophies from the Chairman of the BFF Women’s Wing, Mahfuza Akter, Alpi’s individual masterclass offers a silver lining for the future of Bangladesh’s women’s football. Her performance suggests that while the trophy may have crossed the border to India this year, the pipeline of elite talent in Bangladesh remains as robust as ever.