Girls edge Pakistan

A Bangladesh booter (L) runs past her Pakistani counterpart during the South Asian Games women's football match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

Bangladesh's women footballers kept their hopes alive of playing in the gold deciding match with a solitary goal victory over Pakistan at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The female booters, who lost their opening game against Nepal but bounced back in their next match against Sri Lanka, dominated the whole game taking an early lead in the first half through Farhana Khatun. The local female booters created numerous scoring chances throughout the match but failed to double the margin due to their strikers misfiring.
On the other hand, the girls from Pakistan who were playing only their second international match, fought diligently but failed to make an impression on the local booters. Attired in trousers and head-scarves, the Pakistani girls lagged behind their opponents both in terms of agility and precision.Bangladesh scored in the very first minute when captain Rowshanara Akter headed in from close range, but it was ruled out due to offside. Then, ten minutes into the game Sabina Khatun made a surging run into the box only to fire wide of the target.
The hosts were a constant threat on the Pakistan defence with their three strikers creating a couple of good chances. Rowshonara and Maynu Marma were a menace for the Pakistan defenders and they hardly managed to get the ball away from their own half.
Bangladesh took the lead in the 15th minute when Farhana Khatun's dipping shot from 25 yards out beat the desperate attempt of Pakistan keeper Mahapara. Couple of minutes later, a long range effort from Maynu Marma just eluded the upright while Sabina Khatun failed to make decent contact when she was provided with a very good ball just in front of goal. The easiest chance fell to Rowshonara in the 40th minute when she sped past a couple of defenders, but her shot had neither power nor accuracy to trouble Pakistan keeper.
Maksuda Khandakar came off the bench in the second half and should have doubled the lead in the 46th minute, but her feeble effort in front of goal with only the keeper to beat ballooned over the bar. Pakistan keeper Mahapara made a valiant save from the goalline to deny Bangladesh doubling their lead on the 68th minute.
Pakistan did manage a few attacks in the second half as the Bangladeshi legs wearied, but neither team could find the target.
In the earlier match of the day, Nepal thrashed Sri Lanka 8-0 to keep their winning streak on thanks to a second half hattrick from captain Jumanu Gurung. Anu Lama scored twice, while Laxmik Paudel, Sajana Rana and Sanjana Darji bagged the one goal apiece.