Bangladesh are just one win away from becoming champions in the UEFA-Assist U-16 Development Tournament after smashing favourites Faroe Islands 3-1 in their second match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

With two straight wins, the hosts are on top of the four-team table with six points, three ahead of Faroe Islands and five ahead of Maldives and Cambodia, who played out a 2-2 draw in yesterday’s second match.

Moinul Islam, who scored a brace against Cambodia in the opener, once again showed his quality -- this time against a European side -- scoring twice on either side of substitute Piash Ahmed’s strike. Faroe Islands defender Mourits Mhr Bisgaard had equalised earlier to bring some excitement into the match which the hosts dominated.

Faroe Islands came into the match on the back of a colossal 10-3 win against Maldives, but they faced unexpected challenges from the hosts, who distributed the ball quickly and pressed their physical superior opponents.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Moinul headed home a cross from captain Jonny Shikdar. The forward from Barishal was then denied by goalkeeper Hans Jakup Amgrimsson, who tipped a header over on half-hour mark.

After resumption, Faroe Islands sent on two pairs of fresh legs to accelerate their attacks and it paid off as Mourits headed home from a free-kick delivered by substitute Heini Fossdasa in the 72nd minute.

However, Bangladesh only took seven minutes to restore their lead as Piash ran onto a long ball from Sajed Hasan and nicely danced past a defender before driving into the near post in the 79th minute.

In stoppage time, Moinul brilliantly dribbled three defenders and the goalkeeper before driving home to wrap up a victory.

“I’m really feeling nice after two goals. We tried to play by the coach’s instructions. We had confidence we could leave with a win and we did. Now, we will try to win our next match [against Maldives] to become champions,” said the 11th-grade student.

Bangladesh’s British coach Robart Martin Ryles said it was a ‘drastic’ improvement.

“They have improved drastically as a unit and today they played really well. They have great cohesive experience. I think the experience of the SAFF Championship and AFC Championship Qualifiers have given them foundation for this tournament.”

Opposing coach Aki Johnsen said: “The better side won. Bangladesh had a bit more possession and they deserved the win.”