Skipper Sabina Khatun slammed a brilliant hat-trick that saw Bangladesh women's football thrash humble Pakistan by 6-0 goals in their second group A match of the ongoing 6th edition of SAFF Women's Championship held at Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu of Nepal on Saturday.
With the day's win, the girl in red and green go one more step ahead on the way to the semifinal, following their 3-0 victory over the Maldives in their group opening match.
Bangladesh's last four spot will be confirmed if the defending champions India are able to beat the Maldives in the day's second match which will be held at the same venue this evening.
India earlier beat Pakistan by 3-0 goals in their group opening match.
Pakistan went on the attack early in the very first minute when Julficar Nazi, after taking the ball from midfield with her solo effort, took a close-range shot, but Bangladesh custodian Rupna Chakma brilliantly foiled the attempt.
Bangladesh however had to wait a few minutes to take the lead. Monika Chakma scored the first goal for Bangladesh in the 3rd minute with a powerful shot before Sabina did the spadework from the right flank.
Bangladesh again came close to scoring in the 11th minute as Sirat Jahan Swapna's powerful shot from the vantage position sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.
Though Bangladesh took control of the match, they had to wait till 28 minutes to get the second goal. Following a combined attack, Maria Manda provided a pass to Sabina and the captain gave the ball to Sirat Jahan Swapna who made no mistake to double the lead with a perfect placing shot.
Sabina scored the third goal for Bangladesh in the 31st minute with a gentle tap from inside the danger zone off a pass from Monika Chakma and she further widened the margin from close range with her second attempt off a cross from Sanjida Akter in the 35th minute.
Back with a healthy 4-0 lead, Bangladesh resumed the play and continued onslaught till the final whistle. Sabina completed her hat-trick with an eye-catching header from the close range off a cross from Maria Manda in the 58th minute, making the score line 5-0 while substitute Ritu Porna Chakma completed the winners' tally scoring the sixth goal with a powerful long-range shot in the 77th minute of the match.
Bangladesh, which pitted at group A along with India, Pakistan and the Maldives, will face India in their third and last group match on September 13.
After the group phase matches the top two teams from each group will play the cross semifinals on September 16 while the final of the championship is slated for September 19. All the matches will be played at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium.
Bangladesh women's team: Rupna Chakma, Etie Rani, Sathi Biswas, Masura Parvin, Mossammat Akhi Khatun, Shamsunnahar, Sheuli Azim, Nilufa Yesmin Nila, Anai Mogini, Maria Manda (vice-captain), Monika Chakma, Shamsunnahar, Sohagi Kisku, Sapna Rani, Ritu Porna Chakma, Sanjida Akhter, Marzia, Sabina Khatun (captain), Srimoti Krishnarani Sarkar, Mosammat Sirat Jahan Shopna, Tohura Khatun, Anuching Mogini and Sajeda Khatun.
Source: BSS