Bangladesh reach semifinals as group top

Dhaka, 23 Oct -It was magnificent display by Sabina and Co. as ending all the speculation Bangladesh reached semifinals as the group champions of the SAFF Women's Championship beating strong India by 3-1 goals in their ultimate group A match held Wednesday.

Forward Tohura Khatun led from the front scoring two goals while Afeida Khandakar supported her with a lone goal for Bangladesh team which almost reigned all through the proceeding and secured their deserving victory held at Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The day's win saw, Bangladesh will now play the first semifinal match against
group B runners-up team on October 27 at the same venue. India, who earlier
confirmed their semifinal spot, will also meet against group B champions in the second semifinals on the same day afternoon.  

In the proceeding, forward Tohura Khatun scored a brace while Afeida Khandakar supported her with a lone goal for Bangladesh.

Captain Bala Devi scored a one goal for India. All the four gaols came in the first half.

Bangladesh began to dominate the play and missed the first scoring chance in the early 4th minute when Shamsunnahar Jr failed to push the ball before the open net off a cross from Maria Manda from left wing.

Bangladesh however found the net in the 19th minute. Unmark Afeida Khandakar sailed the ball to the net with a right footer shot after India custodian Chanu who failed to grip the ball of a corner taken by Sabina Khatun.

Bangladesh continued to put pressure on India and got the second goal in the 29th minute due to a mistake by Indian defenders. The Indian defender could not clear the cross properly that came from the left and the ball found the net after deflecting the body of forward Tohura Khatun from the goal line.

Tohura, who was named the player of the match for her impressive performance, further widened the Bangladesh margin scoring her second and third for her team in the 42nd minute. Following a combined attack, Tohura sent the ball to home with a powerful right footer from the top of the box off a close pass from Shamsunnahar Jr.

Indian captain Bala Devi pulled one back for India in the 43rd minute with a header from the handshake distance after Bangladesh custodian Rupna Chakma failed to grip the ball properly.

After the resumption, Bangladesh got several scoring chances but failed to increase their margin.

Earlier, Bangladesh played out to a 1-1 goal draw against Pakistan in their group opening match.

Bangladesh XI - Rupna Chakma, Sabina Khatun, Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar Sr., Afeida Khandaker, Monika Chakma, Tohura Khatun, Ritu Porna Chakma, Shamsunnahar Jr., Masura Parvin and Maria Manda.