Palestine retained the Bangabandhu Gold Cup title beating Burundi by 3-1 goals in the final of the 6th edition of the meet at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Saturday. Forward Khaled Salem, captain-cum-midfielder Sameh Maraaba and stricker Layth Kharoub scored one goal each for the champions, while defender Ndikumana Asman scored the lone goal for Burundi.
The West Asian team, Palestine, emerged unbeaten champions for the second time in a row. They reached the final beating lowly Seychelles by 1-0 goal in the first semifinal, and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka by the same 2-0 goals margin in the Group A matches.
Palestine emerged the unbeaten champions in the last edition of the meet in 2018 beating Tajikistan by 4-3 goals in the final in tie-breaker.
Burundi, who took part in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup for the first time, beat hosts Bangladesh by 3-0 goals in the 2nd semifinal. The East African team also emerged group champions crushing Mauritius by 4-1 goals and Seychelles by 3-1 goals in their Group B matches.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina distributed the prizes among the champions and runners-up teams as the chief guest.
She thanked the tournament organising committee for arranging the soccer meet on the eve of the ‘Mujib Borsho’. She also greeted the champions, runners-up and all the participating teams.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel, President of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Kazi Md Salahuddin and other distinguished personalities were also present on the occasion.
Champion Palestine were rewarded US$ 30,000 as prize money while Burundi US$ 20,000.
Burundi forward Nshimirimana Jospin, who scored seven goals, including two hat-tricks, in the meet won both the Golden Boot as the top goal scorer and Golden Ball as the most valuable player.
Palestine goalkeeper Tawfiq Abuhammad clinched the Golden Gloves and Palestine Captain Sameh Maraaba was adjudged the man of the match. Palestine also won the fair play award.
In the final, Palestine scored three early goals in the first half. Forward Salem opened the account from inside the box utilising a short pass from playmaker Mohamed Darwish in the 3rd minute (1-0).
Just after six minutes, Maraaba doubled the margin in the second chance after Burundi goalkeeper Ndizeye Fales denied a direct corner kick by Mohmoud Abu Warda in the 10th minute (2-0).
In the 26th minute, forward Kharoub sealed the fate of the game converting the goal correctly while his teammate Salem missed the first chance, off a pass from Darwish (3-0).
In the 60th minute, defender Ndikumana Asman reduced the margin for Burundi scoring from inside the box, off a pass from another defender Ngabonziza Blanchard.
After conceding three early goals, Burundi came alive and started to play pressing football. Despite having 56 percent ball possession, the East African team failed to score goals. Forward Nshimirimana Jospin and midfielder Nkurunziza Yannick wasted two close chances in the first half.
After the half-time, Burundi got just two close chances-forward Gasongo Benjamin wasted the first chance while Jospin sent to him the ball in the 54th minute. But defender Asman made no mistake to score the lone goal for his side utilising a pass from another defender Ngabonziza Blanchard in the 60th minute (3-1).
Palestine’s midfielder Mohmoud Abu Warda, forward Khaled Salem and Burundi’s defender Hitimana Hamza, forward Nshimirimana Jospin got yellow card. Besides, a bench player of Burundi defender Kwizera Patrick got yellow card for getting involved in an argument with referee Mizanur Rahman.
The Bangabandhu International Gold Cup Football has been one the prestigious soccer meets organised by BFF from 1996. The federation is paying tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through the tournament.
Palestine: Tawfiq Abuhammad (GK), Mousa Salim, Mohammed Khalil, Oday Kharoub, Mohmoud Abu Warda, Mohamed Darwish, Khaled Salem (Amir Qatawi), Sameh Maraaba (Captain), Layth Kharoub (Ahmad Qatmish), Radwan Abukarash and Yazan Iwaiwi.
Burundi: Ndizeye Fales (GK), Ngabonziza Blanchard, Gasongo Benjamin, Tambwe Amissi (Captain), Musaga Henry (Bizimana Kelvin), Ndikumana Asman, Nkurunziza Yannick (Ciza Thierry) (Kwizera Patrick), Masudi Narcisse, Nshimirimana Jospin, Hitimana Hamza, Ndikumana Merci.
Referee: Mizanur Rahman (Bangladesh).
