Bangladesh stormed to a 3-1 lead at half-time against Bhutan after conceding an early goal, thanks to the effort of Sheikh Morsalin and Rakib Hossain.

The two forwards scored two goals and combined to set up an own goal as Bangladesh took a step closer to a semifinal berth in the SAFF Championship after being given an early scare by the Bhutanese. 

Tsenda Dorji's screamer of a shot from outside the box gave the Himalayan kingdom a 12 th minute lead, shortly before Phuntsho Jigme rattled the crossbar, 

But Morsalin, who scored the third goal in Bangladesh's 3-1 win against Maldives the other day, set off Bangladesh's revival with an equally impressive long-ranger in the 22nd minute.

Rakib's effort then bounced off Phuntsho into the Bhutan net nine minutes later before Rakib, set up by Morsalin, scored a scintillating goal to give Bangladesh a stranglehold of the match.

A draw or even a one-goal defeat would be enough for Bangladesh to make the semifinals for the first time in 14 years.