Shamsunnahar Jr hit a treble as Bangladesh girls handed Bhutan a thrashing 5-0 defeat in the Saff U-20 Women's Championship 2023 at Birshrestha Shaheed Sepahi Mustafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka Tuesday to set up a final date with Nepal.
Nepal were first to reach the final after coming from behind to beat India 3-1 in the day's opening match at the same venue.
Bangladesh needed only a draw to progress, but their dominating win means they finish the opening-round fixtures at the top of the four-team table with seven points.
Early in the game, Aklima showed excellent skill to dribble past a couple of defenders but her final effort was blocked by a diving tackle.
Skipper Shamsunnahar got a glorious opportunity after being set up by Shaheda Akter Ripa but the shot was cleared away again.
Aklima finally gave the breakthrough in the 22nd minute as she placed home after Shamsunnahar broke into the left side to feed the assist.
The lead could have been doubled three minutes later but Ripa shot wide from the spot after Shamsunnahar was fouled at the edge to earn a controversial penalty.
Shamsunnahar netted her own just before the half-hour mark, heading home a corner.
Ripa created a good chance for Shamsunnahar five minutes after the break but the captain couldn't connect from close range.
Shamsunnahar extended the lead three minutes later after receiving a fine through pass from Ripa as she skipped past his marker to beat the onrushing keeper into the far post.
Aklima added another at the hour mark after calmly sending the ball into an empty net, beating the keeper outside the box.
Shamsunnahar completed her hat-trick a minute later in similar fashion to capitalize the empty net after Aklima delivered the assist past the keeper.
Meanwhile in the other match, Apurna Narzary put India ahead in the 21st minute before Anjali Chand equalized for Nepal three minutes after resumption.
Preeti Rai gave Nepal the lead from a penalty in the 69th minute before Amisha Karki sealed the fate of the game in the 89th minute.
Nepal earned six points from three matches to qualify for the final which will be held Thursday.
Result
Bangladesh U-20 Women 5 (Aklima 22, 60, Shamsunnahar Jr 29, 53, 61) 0 Bhutan U-20 Women
