BD girls romp into final

Defending champions Bangladesh stormed into the final of the AFC U-14 Girls' Regional (South & Central) Championship after handing a 9-1 defeat to hosts Tajikistan in the semifinal at the Aviator Stadium in Dushanbe yesterday.

Midfielders Tohura Khatun and Monica scored hattricks while striker Anuching Mogini scored a brace. Midfielder Akhi Khatun, who came on as a second-half substitute, scored the other goal in this goalfest. After Tohura had given Bangladesh a 6th minute lead, the defending champions added four more goals in the opening half before scoring four more at the other side of the break.

Tajikistan skipper Abdul Haieva Nilufar scored from the spot in the 58th minute to give the hosts a consolation goal.

Bangladesh will play in the final tomorrow against India, who edged past Iran by 4-3 goals in the other semifinal of the day.

Bangladesh coach Golam Rabbani was ecstatic with this victory, especially with the way the players performed consistently through the tournament. “We are happy that we have made it to the final. The girls have shown consistency in their performance which is why we are in the final. Hopefully the girls will continue their consistency and win the final against India as well,” Choton said in his reaction.

Bangladesh had beaten their Indian counterparts 3-1 in their opening group game fixture on April 26. The final will kick off at 5:00pm Bangladesh time.