UNB, Sylhet :
Hosts Bangladesh smartly reached their first-ever final of the SAFF U-16 Championship with all-win record eliminating Afghanistan by 1-0 goal in the first semifinal at the crowd-packed Sylhet Stadium on Sunday.
Bangladesh will play the final of the 3rd version of the six-nation regional youth soccer meet on Tuesday (Aug 18) against the winner of the day’s second semifinal — either Nepal or defending champions India.
After a barren first half, local hero Saaduddin scored the match-winning goal for Bangladesh in the 56th minute from a goalmouth melee off Khalil Bhuiyan corner which came his way through captain Shawon amid thunderous cheers from houseful crowd at the big bowl (1-0).
Earlier, Bangladesh became 4th in the inaugural meet and finished 3rd in the 2nd version of the regional soccer youth meet.
Addressing a press conference after the match, Bangladesh captain Shawon Hossain said, “We won the match playing a tactical game as per our plan against physically superior Afghanistan.”
He also hailed the local fans for giving all-out support, expressing his hope that they would continue their support in the final.
Local hero Saaduddin, who scored the match-winning goal in the day’s semifinal, said, “We’re now confident about clinching the title no matter whoever is the opponent in the final.”
In the day’s match, Bangladesh earned deserving victory after dominating over their physically superior Afghan rivals for most of the proceeding despite a muddy ground, except for last few minutes, when Bangladesh were found over defensive.
Bangladesh were enough lucky not to concede a goal in the 37th minute as Afghan captain Omid Haidar sent a spot kick wide to the relief of home crowd.
Afghanistan got the penalty when Bangladesh defender Jahangir Alam Sajib unnecessarily brought down opponent forward Naser Amini in the right wing of the danger zone.
Visiting Afghanistan exerted heavy pressure on hosts Bangladesh in the last few minute to equalise the margin taking the advantage of over defensive strategy, but Bangladesh defended their castle brilliantly.
Hosts Bangladesh confirmed the semifinal berth in the 11-day South Asian soccer meet from group A eliminating all-losers Sri Lanka by 4-0 goals in the first match on August 11 and later they shocked defending champions India by 2-1 goals in the last group match to be the group champion August 13.
India also assured the semifinal berth from the same group beating Sri Lanka by 5-0 goals in the tournament opener on August 9.
Nepal sealed their semifinal berth as Group B champion while Afghanistan from same group eliminating all losers Maldives by 5-0 and 4-2 goals respectively on August 10 and 12 at the same venue.
Yellow cards: Omid Haidar, Ali Baset Mardani, Sher Ahmed, Abdul Naser Amini (Afghanistan), Sarwar Zaman Nipu, Atiquzzaman and Mohammad Rony (Bangladesh).
Referee: L Priyabartha Singh (India)
