Bangladesh under-20 women’s national team has beaten Sri Lanka by 5-0 in their fifth match of the ongoing SAFF Under-20 Women’s Championship at the Bashundhara Kings Arena Ground 2 in the capital on Saturday evening.
Peter Butler, the head coach of Bangladesh, made four changes in the starting eleven. Goalkeeper Mst Fardosi Akter Shonale started for the red-and-green side for the first time, while Mst Surma Jannat, Ayonto Bala Mahoto, Kanon Rani Bahadur and Puja Das started in place of Mile Akter, Nabiran Khatun, Mst Bonna Khatun, Sinha Jahan Sikha and Shanti Mardi.
Bangladesh were dominant from the early moments, but the first shot on target came from Sri Lanka. In the eighth minute, after a run down the right wing, Indran Gregory tried a cross, but the effort went straight to Bangladesh goalkeeper Shonale.
The Tigresses’ first shot on goal came from Sree Moti Trishna Rani, but Sri Lankan goalkeeper Tharushika Dodamgodage saved it, followed by a goal-line clearance by defender Dulini Arachchilage.
Bangladesh made the first mark of the match in the 25th minute, as Kanon Rani Bahadur netted from the edge of the box.
Breaking the deadlock, Peter Butler’s side started attacking relentlessly. Bangladesh got a few corners but could not utilise them effectively, Trishna missed quite a few opportunities, captain Surma’s shot hit the post in the 38th minute.
Bangladesh doubled the lead in the 3rd minute of the added time of the first half. Trishna’s shot hit the post after a slight deflection from Tharushika, but Puja Das, on the rebound, finished it calmly.
Bangladesh went to the break with a 2-0 lead.
Peter Butler made four changes at the halftime. Regular captain Afeida Khandaker, midfielder Sapna Rani, Munki Akhter and right winger Umehla Marma were subbed in for Surma, Kanon, Rupa Akter and Kanom Akter.
With the substitutions, the Tigresses started creating more chances. Umehla Marma was storming in the right flank, her cross in the 46th minute found Ayonto, who was deprived of a goal for a corner. In the 49th minute, Afeida missed a scoring opportunity inside the box following a corner.
Umehla missed a golden chance in the 54th minute, failing to keep the shot on target.
Bangladesh had their third goal of the night in the 73rd minute, as Puja Das’ long ranger from outside the box beat Tharushika’s effort under the post.
In the 86th minute, forward Sree Moti Trishna Rani joined the party by scoring Bangladesh’s fourth goal of the night.
In the sixth minute of the additional time in the second half, Afeida Khandaker converted from the penalty spot to score the fifth and seal the deal for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in the opening match of the tournament by a huge margin of 9-1.
Bangladesh, with a perfect record of five wins out of five matches, need one point from the last match against Nepal on Monday to retain the trophy.
Meanwhile, earlier in the afternoon, Nepal beat Bhutan by 8-0 at the same ground. Meena Deuba and Purnima Rai scored a hat-trick, while Samikshya Magar and Kusum Khatiwada scored once each.
A win on Monday would be enough for Nepal to secure the championship title.
LND/SAE
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