Hosts top Group B

Bangladesh thrashed newcomers Bhutan 3-0 in the last match of the first round in the third South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship at the floodlit Bangabandhu National yesterday.

riful Kabir Farhad struck twice and substitute Rokonuzzaman Kanchan added the third in the 78th minute to ensure the hosts' third straight win and the top spot of Group B with maximum nine points.

Bangladesh's victory against the tiny Himalayan nation was never in doubt even after coach George Kottan fielded a team of reserves.

Kottan gave a rest to nine regular players ahead of the big semifinal clash against defending champions India.

Earlier, in the first match of the day, Maldives came from behind to beat Nepal 3-2 to set up a clash with Pakistan in the other semifinal.

Both semifinals will be held on Saturday.

Farhad, coming in for first-choice striker Kanchan, gave Bangladesh a third minute lead stabbing a loose ball from close after a Moni low cross from the left came off the gloves of a shaky Bhutanese custodian Jigme Singye.

The fleet-footed attacker doubled the margin nine minutes into the second half heading home a Saiful floater from the right.

The third Bangladesh goal was a beautifully worked move by two second-half substitutes.

Ace striker Alfaz, who came in the 56th minute for Saiful, lobbed a perfect cross to an unmarked Kanchan who made on mistake to rattle the net with a spectacular header.

Bhutan, who came to Dhaka to make their first international appearance, left home with three defeats. Apart from that they failed to score a goal in the meet.

The inexperienced Bhutanese however came close to scoring a dream goal in the 40th minute when Sonam Jamthso slipped the ball past Bangladesh custodian Biplob, but only to be denied by the woodwork.

TEAMS

BANGLADESH: Biplob, Firoz Mahmud Titu, Nazrul, Motiur Munna, Mahmudul Hasan, Abdul Kaiyum Sentu, Saiful Islam (Parvez), Monwar Hossain (Rokonuzzaman Kanchan), Saifur Rahman Moni (Alfaz), Mehdi Hasan Uzzal and Ariful Kabir Farhad.

BHUTAN: Jigme Singey (Puspala), Passang, Irishna Subba, Bhim Kumar, Kinley Dorje, Pema, Dinesh, Chopla (Ygyen), Namgey (Khandu), Tenzin and Jamtsho.

Referee: Balu Sundar Raj (India).