Tohura Khatun slammed a hat- trick and captain Sabina Khatun scored a brace as defending champions Bangladesh stormed into the final of the SAFF Women's Championship thrashing Bhutan by 7-1 win at Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu on Sunday.
Apart from three from Tahura Khatun and a couple of goals for the captain Sabina, Rituporna Chakma and Masura Parvin also joined the celebration.
Bangladesh women conceded a late first half goal just against the flow of the game.
Peter Butler’s booters, who seemingly made it confused after an unexpected 1-1 draw in their opener against Pakistan, did not look back when they just outplayed the India by 3-1 in the second match to move into the semifinal. However, it might not have been the speculation that this time also Bangladesh would have a massive 8-0 win over Bhutan as they had in the last edition's semifinal two years ago. But the improved Bhutan, who scored 13 goals against Maldives, could not throw any challenges to Bangladesh on their way to advance to the Wednesday's final.
However, Rituporna Chakma opened the flood-gate in the very seventh minute with firing a left-foot bullet shot from outside the box after having a long ball from Tahura, who ultimately slammed hat-tric (1-0).
Tohura, took over all the limelight scoring hattrick in the game following her two goals against India, opned her account in the15th minute to double the team’s lead. Taohura, after receiving a cross from Sheuli Azim from the right wing, marked the target with a left-footer from top of the box giving no chance to Bhutan custodian Sangita Mongar (2-0).
It could have been 3-0 on 24th minute for Bangladesh but skipper Sabina Khatun's left footer angular shot from close range shattered sidebar.
Sabina, however did not miss her second very next attempt in the 26th minute when netted from the close range after receiving a cross inside the box to make the tally 3-0.
Tohura scored her second and fourth for Bangladesh in the 35th minute. This time Ritu Porna provided a long passs from left side and Tohura superbly sent the ball into top corner of the net with a left footer after edging past two of her markers.
Just two minutes later, Sabina extended the lead to 5-0 in the 37th minute in style when after receivg pass, she dodged past two defenders and also the goalkeeper Bhutanese before to place the ball into net.
Bhutan, who have been struggling hard, reduced one goal trough the forward Deki Lhazom on 41st minute (1-5).
After the break, Bangladesh continued their onslaught and scored two more goals in the second half.
Tohura completed her hat-trick with scoring the sixth goal for Bangladesh in the 56th minute from inside the box after having a pass from Monika Chakma.
Masura Parvin closed the sheet after joining the party with scoring the seventh goal on 71st minute with a close range header from on a pinpointed flank kick of Sanjid Khatun (7-1).
Tohura was adjudged the player of the match for her impressive performance.
