Bangladesh National Women’s Football team smartly reached the semifinals of the six-team SAFF Women’s Championship from Group A eliminating Himalayan nation Bhutan by 2-0 goals in their first match at the Shahid Rangashala in Biratnagar, Nepal on Thursday.

After a barren first half, captain cum most experienced forward Sabina Khatun and vice-captain Mishrat Jahan Moushumi scored one each for the last times runners-up Bangladesh, enabling the team to achieve their first target of reaching last four stage, reports the UNB. 

Touring Bangladesh now need an outright victory in their last group match against hosts Nepal on Saturday (March 16) to clinch the group title.

Nepal, which also assured the semifinal berth from the same group beating Bhutan convincingly by-3-0 goals in the tournament opener last Tuesday, needed a just draw against Bangladesh to the group champions.

In the semifinals on March 20, Group A champions will play Group B runners-up at 11am while Group B champions will encounter Group A runners–up at 3pm at the same venue. The final match will take place at 3pm on March 22.

In the day’s match, medio Mishrat Jahan Moushumi put Bangladesh ahead in the 47th minute by a placing shot from goal mouth melee, off corner kick of Monika Chakma (1-0).

Country’s celebrated striker Sabina Khatun sealed the fate of the match scoring the 2nd goal inn the 86th minute dodging past two opponent defenders and custodian, utilizing on a Shamsunnahar pass (2-0).

Bangladesh Team: Rupna Chakma, Masura Parvin, Shamsunnahar, Akhi Khatun, Sheuli Azim, Mishrat Jahan Moushumi, Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Sirat Jahan Shopna, Sanjida Akhter (Tohuna Khatun) and Sabina Khatun.