Bangladesh storm into semis beating Bhutan 2-0

Sports Correspondent: Bangladesh National Women’s Football team stormed the semifinals of the six-team SAFF Women’s Championship from Group A beating Himalayan nation Bhutan by 2-0 goals in their first match at the Shahid Rangashala in Biratnagar, Nepal on Thursday.

After a barren first half, captain Sabina Khatun and vice-captain Mishrat Jahan Moushumi scored one each for the last times runners-up Bangladesh, enabling the team to achieve their first target of reaching last four stage.

In the day’s match, Mishrat Jahan Moushumi put Bangladesh ahead in the 47th minute by a placing shot from goal mouth melee, off corner kick of Monika Chakma (1-0).

Sabina Khatun sealed the fate of the match scoring the 2nd goal in the 86th minute dodging past two opponent defenders and custodian, utilizing on a Shamsunnahar pass (2-0).

Now touring Bangladesh will have to secure an outright victory in their last group match against hosts Nepal on Saturday (March 16) to grab the group title.

Nepal, which also confired the semifinal berth from the same group beating Bhutan convincingly by-3-0 goals in the tournament opener last Tuesday, needed a just draw against Bangladesh to the group champions.

In the semifinals on March 20, Group A champions will play Group B runners-up at 11:00 am while Group B champions will encounter Group A runners–up at 3:00 pm at the same venue. The final match will take place at 3:00 pm on March 22.


risingbd/Dhaka/Mar 14, 2019/Aminul/AI