Bangladesh were held to a 1-1 draw by hosts Bhutan in their fifth match of the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship 2025 at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu on Friday, a result that effectively ended their title hopes. Later in the evening, India thrashed Nepal 5-0 at the same venue to seal the championship with a game to spare.

The four-team tournament is being contested in a double-legged league format. Bangladesh beat Bhutan and Nepal but lost to India in the first leg. They also defeated Nepal in the return fixture, while India have maintained a perfect record with victories in all their matches so far.

Back to the Bangladesh-Bhutan clash, Purnima Chakma put the visitors ahead in the 6th minute with a blistering strike from just outside the box into the top-left corner.

Sauravi Akanda Prity almost doubled the lead in the 16th minute but was denied by the woodwork.

Bhutan equalized in first-half stoppage time through Chorten Zangmo, who broke free of the defense and slotted past goalkeeper Meghla Rani Roy.

In the second half, Mamoni Chakma came close twice—first in the 50th minute when her shot was blocked by Bhutanese goalkeeper Kelzang Wangmo, and again in the 85th minute when she fired over the bar.

Bangladesh will wrap up their campaign against champions India on Sunday.