Also read: Bangladesh into semis after Bhutan beat Sri Lanka
Bangladesh will face the runners-up side of Group B, either India or Nepal, on Friday. Bangladesh scored some beautiful goals to wrap up their group mission. When the senior side conceded a shocking 3-1 defeat against Bhutan in the Asia Cup qualifiers play-off in October last year, the recent performance of the junior Tigers gave the federation hope for the future. The BFF must also take lessons from what happened to the U-16 side in 2015 that clinched the Saff U16 Championship. However, since then, the BFF took little care to nurture the growth of the young talents. The Bangladesh players wore green and white jersey on Tuesday. They dominated the game from the very beginning and went close to scoring 12 minutes into the clock with three consecutive shots from inside the box. One of those shots resulted in an own goal but it was deemed to be offside by the referee. Foysal Ahmed Fahim, who scored a hat-trick against Sri Lanka, netted a spectacular goal to put Bangladesh ahead in the 25th minute with a solo effort. The in-form young forward dribbled past three defenders to enter the box before unleashing a left-footer from the right flank which hit the back of the net, into the top right corner. Bhutan also came close to equalising six minutes later but Dorji Khando’s free-kick from outside the box only hit the sidepost. Raja Sheikh’s shot from the edge of the box flew inches over the bar six minutes later. Rain then started falling a few minutes before the first half.
Also read: Bangladesh begin campaign with resounding victory
Miraj Molla wrecked havoc upon the opponent defence and finally got into the scoresheet seven minutes into the second half, heading home a quick cross from Minhajul Karim Shadhin from the right wing. Miraj extended the lead as well as sealed victory in the 81st minute with a cool-headed placing shot from the middle of the box that left Bhutan goalkeeper Tenzin Dorki stunned.Bangladesh playing XlMohammad Samiul Bashar; Nazmul Biswas (Rony), Yeasin Arafat, Mohammad Jehad Hossain, Sadekuzzaman Fahim, Akkas Ali (Jony); Mohammad Raja Sheikh, Minhajul Karim Shadhin, Mohammad Faysal Ahmed Fahim, Mohammad Uzzal Hossain and Mohammad Miraj Molla