Bangladesh secure final berth with thumping win

Bangladesh team secured a place in the SAFF U-18 Championship final with a crushing 4-0 win over Bhutan in a semifinal encounter at the Armed Police Force ground in Kathmandu, Nepal today.

Tanbir Hossain opened the scoring with a header in the 16th minute before striker Faisal Ahmed netted with a brilliant left-footed finish from a counter-attack to double Bangladesh’s lead in the 27th minute.

A poor clearance from Bhutan midfield saw Maraz Hossain pick up the ball from near the half-way mark and then after a slaloming run unleash a fierce left-footed strike from distance in the 31st minute to triple the lead before half-time.

Substitute Dipok Roy sealed a comfortable victory as he unleashed a thumping drive from outside the box to score Bangladesh’s fourth.

Bangladesh will take on the winners of the second semifinal, set to be played between India and Maldives on September 29.