The high hopes of the Bangladesh national Under-23 football team to play in the final of the XIII SA Games were shattered when they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of hosts Nepal yesterday at the Rangashala Stadium, Katmandu.

Bangladesh, who were on do or die situation in their last match of the round robin league to play in the final, suffered the defeat and had to satisfy with bronze medal.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) announced US Dollars 40,000 award for the team before the Nepal match yesterday if they could move into the final after winning against Nepal.

But the Bangladesh youth team saw a huge blow early in the 11th minute conceding a goal when a Nepalese forward made a finish of an ordinary attack down the left when defender Yasin Khan left the forward free in the danger area.

Bangladesh despite conceding the early in the 11th minute could not return or score any goal to make their final berth despite playing almost one-sided game rest of the game.

However, now they will have to satisfy with bronze medal after going down to Nepal.  

This time it was something easier for Bangladesh not only play in the final but to win the games gold medal in the absence of India, the top favourites side but the Red and Green after a disaster start going down to Bhutan could not get rid of the damage. In the second match Bangladesh drew with Maldives by 1-1 and could manage a solitary goal win against Sri Lanka to keep up the hope alive to move into the final.