Bangladesh U-15 boys returned to winning ways in style as they thrashed Maldives 10-0 in their third and last match in the Uefa-Men’s Youth International Tournament at Chang Arena in Buriram, Thailand Friday.
Defender Helal Ahmed and forward Mohammad Ashikur Rahman netted a hat-trick apiece, while Nihat Uchchash and Rasel Ahmed added a brace each to register Bangladesh’s first win in the four-nation tournament.
With a win and a draw, Bangladesh concluded their campaign with four points, while host Thailand also earned the same number of points but finished ahead of the boys in red and green due to goal difference.
Cyprus top the table with six points.
Helal, who was given the captain’s armband for the first time, put Bangladesh ahead in the 12th minute with a spectacular left-footed free-kick from 20 yards out that curved home into the top left-corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Bangladesh U-15 boys are well on course to return to winning ways as they lead the first half 5-0 against Maldives in their third and last match in the @UEFA-invitational four-nation football tournament in Thailand Friday.https://t.co/ukejDurWRD#FOOTBALL #BANGLADESH #UEFA #BFF
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 14, 2018
Helal doubled the lead three minutes later, placing home into the near post from the left side of the box. Helal completed his treble in the 33rd minute with a grounder from the top of the box.
Ashikur scored his first goal from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, before striker Uchchash made it 5-0 after another fine build-up through the left flank two minutes later.
Rasel’s header three minutes into the second half and Ucchash’s close-range placing extended the lead to 7-0 at the hour-mark.
Rasel and Ashikur scored their second goal in the 65th and 75th minute respectively before the latter completed the rout in the 93rd minute.
After the game, Bangladesh coach Mostafa Anwar Parvez said, “We began the game with the mindset that we had to score 11 goals or more to finish runners-up. The goals were also coming in, but we created lot more chances in the second half, and could have scored more.”
Bangladesh earlier lost to Cyprus 4-0 in their first match Monday before holding the host to a 1-1 draw Wednesday.
RESULT
Bangladesh U-15 10 (Helal 12, 15, 33, Ashikur 39, 75, 91, Rasel 48, 65, Uchchash 41, 59) 0 Maldives U-15