Bangladesh swept into the semi-finals of the inaugural Saff Under-19 Championship after outclassing Bhutan 2-0 in their opening match of the six-nation event at ANFA Complex in Lalitpur, Nepal yesterday.
The junior Tigers exhibited a dominating display en route to salvaging all three points with Rohit Sarkar and Mannaf Rabby getting their names on the score-sheet. Bangladesh will now face the hosts in their final Group A match tomorrow and the winner of the tie will emerge as group champions.
Mohammad Ibrahim and Mannaf, the two rising stars of the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League, were at the hub of most of the Bangladesh attacks. The duo however, were denied by the opposition defenders and goalkeeper numerous times before the much-anticipated breakthrough came three minutes before the first half whistle.
Bangladesh initially took some time to be organised but when they did get into the groove, they put two past the Bhutan custodian in the space of just two minutes.
Rohit gave the junior Tigers the deserved lead with a powerful volley from just outside the box after Ibrahim's long ball forward was headed down by Mannaf.
Following a couple of near misses after the first goal, Mannaf succeeded in doubling the lead a minute before the interval. The Bhutan netminder came out of the box to clear a long ball but failed and Mannaf controlled the ball well inside the box before unleashing a fierce effort between the legs of an opponent defender.
After resumption, Ibrahim twice went close to making it 3-0 but both of his efforts flew over the crossbar. Ibrahim further wasted a glorious chance in the 71st minute when the Mohammedan youngster failed to meet a Mannaf cross in front of an empty net.
Bangladesh squad
Anisur Rahman; Rahmatullah, Mohammad Emon, Tutul Hossain Badshah, Mohammad Rocky; Masuk Mia Jony (C), Shahriar Bappy, Biplob Ahmed, Mohammad Ibrahim; Rohit Sarkar, Mannaf Rabby