Sabina Khatun slotted a hat-trick as Bangladesh stormed into the final of the SAFF Women's Championship with a massive 8-0 win over Bhutan in the first semifinal in Kathmandu, Nepal today.

It happens to be the second final berth for Bangladesh, who had before played the final during the fourth edition of the regional women's football extravaganza in 2016. The women in red and green will now play the final against the winners between Nepal and India on September 19.

Bangladesh exposed Bhutan's high backline time and again to net goals one after another despite Bhutan captain Pema Choden Tshering having vowed to give Bangladesh some tough times on the ground.

Bangladesh fielded an unchanged eleven against Bhutan today. Clockwise from top-left: Masura Parvin, Sheuli Azim, Rupna Chakma (G), Akhi Khatun, Sirat Jahan Swapna, Sabina Khatun (C), Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Shamsunnahar Sr., Sanjida Akhtar, Krishna Rani Sarkar. Photo: BFF

Midfielders Maria Manda and Monika Chakma played tremendously to release through balls relentlessly, capitalising on the space behind the high-line defence of Bhutan, and Bangladesh forwards grabbed the opportunities on a rain-soaked pitch at the Dasharath Rangasala stadium.

The charges of Golam Rabbani Choton took only two minutes to open the floodgates when Sirat Jahan Swapna was quick to avail a through-pass from Monika Chakma to beat advancing goalkeeper Sangita Monger by placing the ball to the far post with a low drive.

Bangladesh celebrate their first goal. Photo: BFF

Sabina Khatun then capitalised on a forward pass from Maria Manda, who lost her marker with a brilliant turn, as the Bangladesh captain rounded off the advancing Bhutan goalkeeper and placed an angular grounder with composure in the 17th minute.

Bangladesh captain Sabina Khatun in action. Photo: BFF

At the half-hour mark, it was an unmarked Krishna Rani Sarker who made it 3-0 with a header off the cross from substitute Ritu Parna Chakma -- in for injured Swapna -- who, minutes later, found the back of Bhutan net in the 35th minute with a well-placed shot on the edge of the box after goalkeeper Sangita denied Krishna.

After resumption, Sabina struck her second goal from close-range in the 54th minute after receiving a square pass from Krishna from the right flank while defender Masura Parvin widened the margin with a rebound effort in the 58th minute after the Bhutan goalkeeper failed to grip a free-kick from Sabina.

After taking a comfortable lead, Bangladesh brought some changes to rest key players like Maria, Krishna and Bhutan tried to pull back goals but their all efforts were thwarted by a strong Bangladesh strong backline, led by Akhi Khatun in the middle. 

More goals followed late in the game as substitute Tahura Khatun made it 7-0 in the 87th minute while Sabina completed her hattrick in the stoppage time to tally her eighth goal in the competition as Bangladesh left the field with four wins on the trot.