Hosts Bangladesh continued their winning run in the AFC Under-16 Women’s Championship qualifiers when they hammered UAE 6-0 in their second match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday. Sanjida Akter, the architect of Bangladesh’s 1-0 win over Jordan in their previous match, struck two goals alongside Bipasha Mali as the home girls kept their hopes of qualifying for the final round alive.
The group champions will qualify for the final round, which will be held in China next year.
Krishna Rani and Lipi Akter scored the other two goals for Bangladesh, who are trailing Iran on goal average in the points table. Iran beat India 2-1 in the day’s first match.
Bangladesh began the second match from where they ended to lead the first half 4-0 thanks to Sanjida’s brace and a goal each from Bipasha and Krishna.
Sanjida, the player of the match against Jordan, again proved her fine form with some extraordinary skills but her attacking partner Bipasha scored the opener just six minute into the kick-off.
Left winger Krishna ran through the flank and dribbled past two defenders to cut the ball back to the Bipasha, who tapped home past UAE goalkeeper Dalal Abdulla Farhan Baashir.
Sanjida left some thousand fans delighted when she doubled the lead just three minute later with a super finish, receiving the ball from midfielder Razia. The right-winger entered the box and fired a left footed shot that hit the back of the nets not giving UAE goalie any chance.
Razia all but made the score line 3-0 in the 22nd minute but she saw her right-footed volley hit the woodwork after a cross from Krishna.
But Sanjida made no mistake to score her second just minutes later, breaking into the penalty area. Bipasha provided a ball to right to Sanjida who placed the ball over the keeper Dalal Abdulla.
UAE defender Maryam Jaber made a goal-line clearance in the 38th minute to deny Krishna Rani.
Krishna finally found the net just before the break placing a Razia’s short pass over the keeper.
After the break Bangladesh reduced the pressure to give their competitors some breathing time. They again gathered pace after a few minutes and were rewarded with Bipasha’s second goal in 68th minute.
Krishna saw her powerful shot saved by the keeper and hit the side post but it fell on Bipasha who coolly sent the ball to extend the lead 5-0. Substitute Lipi Akter completed the rout with a stoppage time goal.
Earlier in the first match of the day, Premi Chiru put India ahead in the 13th minute placing the ball into an open net after Iran goalkeeper Mobina Khodadadi blocked the midfielder’s initial effort.
After the break, substitute midfielder Fatemeh Hosseini levelled the margin in the 71st minute sending the ball home in a cross of Fatemeh Ghasemi who sealed the victory for Iran just two minutes before the stipulated time.
Bangladesh will play India in their next match on Sunday.
-With New Age input
