Dinajpur crowned National Football Championship winners

Dinajpur district clinched their first-ever National Football Championship title with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sirajganj in the grand final at the Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday, thanks to a decisive extra-time strike from Yeasin Ali.

The final, played in front of a vibrant crowd with hundreds travelling from both districts, lived up to its billing as the climax of a three-and-a-half-month tournament involving 64 districts, 112 matches and nearly 1,500 players.

Dinajpur struck first in the 13th minute through Sagor Mohanto. Sirajganj, however, responded strongly after the break. They levelled the score in the 60th minute when Prodip Soren finished from close range.

Momentum swung again just two minutes later when Uzzal Hossen restored Dinajpur's lead in the with a composed finish but Sirajganj refused to fold. Deep into stoppage time, they were awarded a penalty, which Hassan Ali coolly converted, dragging the match into extra time.

The additional 30 minutes were tense and fiercely contested. Just when the final seemed headed towards penalties, Dinajpur found their moment of glory with Yeasin snatching the winning goal in the 102nd minute.

The victory marked the culmination of an impressive campaign for Dinajpur, whose youthful side -- featuring seven to eight players from the Dhaka Senior Division Football League -- justified coach Shamim Ahmed's pre-match confidence.

This year's championship, held under the banner of the historic Sher-e-Bangla National Football Championship, was made possible despite financial hurdles, with Tk 10 crore provided by the Youth and Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council. Youth and Sports adviser Asif Mahmud attended the final as chief guest.

While Yeasin was adjudged the player of the final, Sirajganj goalkeeper Abul Kashem was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament.