Teenager Alpi Akter carried her scorching form into the resumption of the Women’s Football League (WFL), as the Rajshahi Stars FC striker netted a hattrick to power the league leaders to a commanding 8-0 victory over Suddopushkorini Jubo SC yesterday.
Fresh from emerging as both the top scorer and best player of the recently concluded SAFF Women’s U-19 Championship, Alpi took her league tally to 28 goals from nine matches -- the third-highest single-season return in WFL history, behind former captain Sabina Khatun’s 35 goals in the 2019–20 season and former national player Aungmraching Marma’s 29 in 2012–13.
“I did not expect to outperform senior forwards,” Alpi told The Daily Star. “My aim was simply to perform well from the start of the league and make the most of the opportunity to play alongside experienced players. Now I sit on top of the scorer chart. It’s a blessing from the Almighty.
“For the first time, I became the top scorer [by scoring seven goals in four matches] and best player of a tournament [SAFF Women’s U-19 Championship in Nepal], and I am really happy with this achievement, which I think will inspire me greatly going forward.”
Rajshahi, who are yet to drop a point, will look to avoid defeat in their final hurdle to clinch the league title in their maiden appearance. However, Bangladesh Army SC, who are breathing down Rajshahi’s necks after eight wins in nine games, have the potential to cause an upset and force play-off fixtures to decide the title.
“A good bonding among experienced and junior players has been the strength behind Rajshahi’s nine straight wins. Now we want to win the trophy by winning our last match.”
Alpi’s rise has been particularly striking given that, despite scoring 11 goals for Siraj Smriti Sangsad in the 2023–24 WFL, she had previously operated in the shadow of established forwards such as Tohura Khatun, Shamsunnahar Jr, Mst Sagorika and Sauravi Akanda Prity.
The Grade 10 student from Boda upazila in Panchagarh traced her goal-scoring instincts back to her early years.
“I used to take a lot of shots at goal, always keeping the goalkeeper in mind. I also practised scoring from free-kicks, and that helped build my confidence,” she said. “Now I believe that if I get the ball in front of the goal, I can score.”
Her performances in both the WFL and the SAFF U-19 Championship have reportedly earned her a call-up to the senior national team for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia in March.
“It is really pleasing to receive a call-up to the senior team, but it is not something to take lightly. It is a challenge to stay in the squad and compete with senior players.”
