Bd girls trounce Nepal 9-0

Defending champions Bangladesh continued to impress in the AFC Girls (U-14) Regional Championship when they crushed their Nepalese counterparts 9-0 in the final match of Group B at the Aviator Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan yesterday.

Bangladesh just needed a draw to emerge Group B champions after a historic 3-1 win over India in the group opener on Tuesday but the defending champions were ruthless against last edition's runners-up Nepal, who conceded six goals in the first half as the striking duo of captain Marzia and Anuching Mogini tore apart the Himalayan backline to strike a hattrick apiece.  

Tahura repeated her feat to score a brace while Sajeda also wrote her name in the scoresheet.

Bangladesh took only three minutes to open the floodgates as Marzia, who scored the winning goal against Nepal in the final of the last edition in Kathmandu, put Bangladesh ahead before doubling the margin in the 15th minute. After the brace from Marzia, new striker Anuching took over, scoring in the 18th, 29th and 39th minutes to complete the treble. Sajeda meanwhile scored the team's fifth goal in the 34th minute.

After resumption, Tahura scored twice in the 63rd and 66th minutes to repeat the feat she performed against India while Marzia completed her treble to seal a memorable victory in the 68th minute. 

Bangladesh, who emerged Group B champions, will take on Tajikistan in the second semifinal tomorrow at the Aviator Stadium while Group A champions Iran will face India in the first semifinal at the Almosy Academy Stadium in Dushanbe on the same day.