Bangladesh confirm semis with win over Bhutan

Bangladesh romped to the semifinals of the SAFF U-19 Championship with a 3-0 win over Bhutan in their second and last group-stage match in Arunachal, India, today.

Morshed Ali and Sumon Soren found the net in the first first-half to give Bangladesh a 2-0 advantage before Nazmul Huda Faysal scored in stoppage time to cap off a comprehensive victory for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Faysal turned smartly in the Bhutan half and played through a line-breaking pass for Morshed who galloped into the box from the right flank before curling it in with his left foot. Morshed was at it again, creating constantly from the left, as he dribbled through and directed a low-driven cross into the box. A defender managed to poke it away, but it was picked up by Soren found the net with his left-foot. 

In the dying minutes of the game, the Bhutan goalkeeper fluffed a clearance near the half-way line, which was pounced on by Mohammad Manik and picked up by Morshed, who ran through on goal, evading two defenders with his pace before cutting it back to an onrushing Faysal, who produced a striker's finish.

Golam Rabbani Choton's side had squandered a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw in their first group match against the Maldives on Friday but managed to stage a remarkable comeback today to confirm the last four of the tournament.