Bangladesh in handball final

Hosts Bangladesh confirmed final berths in both youth and junior sections of Bangabandhu IHF Challenge Women's Trophy after notching up back-to-back victories at Shaheed M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium yesterday.

Bangladesh's preliminary target was to play in the final of the U-17 youth section, but the U-19 junior women's team did not disappoint either despite being a depleted side due to the unavailability of four key players, who are busy with HSC examinations.

Pre-tournament favourites India also booked final berths and they would square off against the hosts in dress rehearsal for the finals during today's last group matches.

Coming from a comprehensive 48-10 win over Maldives in the opening match in the youth section, Bangladesh dominated over Nepal and handed them a massive 50-4 goals defeat while the junior side, who beat Maldives 38-21, thrashed their Nepalese counterparts 23-09 to ensure the final berth.

Despite notching up comfortable victory over Nepal, Bangladesh youth team's coach Dalia Akter expressed her dissatisfaction about the quality of the opposition.

"Though we got a big win, it would have been better to have strong opponents ahead of the match against India, who are a strong side with world-class players," Dalia told reporters after the match.

Bangladesh junior team's coach Amjad Hossain said, "We tested some of our bench players and I'm happy to have seen them in the match. India are an experienced side and it is a good opportunity for us to meet them in group stage before the final.

India youth and junior teams beat their Maldivian counterparts 42-14 and 55-09 respectively to confirm the finals.