Sports Desk

Defending champions Bangladesh secured a place in the final of the 2024 SAFF Women's Championship with a commanding 7-1 victory over Bhutan in the first semifinal at Dashrath Rangasala Stadium in Nepal’s Kathmandu on Sunday. Forward Tohura Khatun stole the show with a spectacular hat-trick, leading her team to victory and keeping their unbeaten record intact in this year's tournament.

Bangladesh, who also defeated Bhutan 8-0 in the last SAFF Women’s Championship in 2022, once again proved their dominance. The team now advances to the final on October 30, where they will face either five-time champions India or host Nepal, who compete in the second semifinal later today at the same venue.

In a game that saw Bangladesh dominate from start to finish, Tohura Khatun opened her scoring spree early and found the net three times. Captain Sabina Khatun also shone, adding two goals, while Ritu Porna Chakma and Masura Parvin contributed one goal each, giving Bangladesh a 5-1 lead by halftime.

Ritu Porna Chakma opened the scoring for Bangladesh in the 7th minute with a skillful shot from outside the box, making it 1-0. Just eight minutes later, Tohura doubled the lead with a powerful long-distance strike (2-0). Captain Sabina Khatun extended the advantage in the 26th minute, tapping in a pass from Monika Chakma to make it 3-0.

Tohura continued her stunning performance with a second goal in the 35th minute, maneuvering past a Bhutanese defender before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box (4-0). Sabina followed up with her second goal just two minutes later, placing the ball past the Bhutanese goalkeeper with ease (5-0). Bhutan managed a consolation goal in the 42nd minute, with forward Daki Lhazom scoring to make it 5-1 as the teams went into halftime.

Tohura completed her hat-trick in the 58th minute, skillfully placing a shot from inside the box to bring the score to 6-1. With this performance, Tohura emerged as the tournament's third-highest scorer, with five goals, and was named Player of the Match. She dedicated her trophy to her former coach, Golam Rabbani Choton, saying, “This win and the hat-trick are both for him.”

Defender Masura Parvin sealed the emphatic victory in the 72nd minute with a well-placed header from a corner kick, bringing the final score to 7-1.

Bangladesh’s path to the final has been marked by impressive performances, including a 3-1 victory over five-time champions India in the group stage and a dramatic 1-1 draw with Pakistan, secured by Shamsunnahar Jr.’s last-minute equalizer. Bhutan’s semifinal journey included a dominant 13-0 win over the Maldives and a 4-1 victory against Sri Lanka, following a scoreless draw with Nepal in group play.