In a stunning display of skill and determination, Tohura Khatun netted a hat-trick to propel Bangladesh to a commanding 7-1 victory over Bhutan in the first semi-final of the SAFF Women's Championship 2024, held on Sunday at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar. With this win, Bangladesh has secured a spot in the final for the third time overall and the second consecutive time.
Bangladesh’s impressive performance saw them dominate from the outset, leading 5-1 at halftime. The team’s captain, Sabina Khatun, also shone brightly with two goals, while Ritu Porna Chakma contributed one. Tohura's hat-trick was completed with a well-placed shot in the second half, marking her as a standout player in the match.
The scoring frenzy began early when Ritu Chakma struck in the 7th minute with a powerful shot from just outside the box after receiving a pass from Tohura. Tohura doubled the lead in the 15th minute, showcasing her agility by dodging a defender and firing a stunning shot into the net.
Sabina added to the tally in the 26th minute, capitalizing on a rebound after hitting the post earlier. Tohura then scored her second goal in the 35th minute with a left-footed effort from outside the box. Sabina followed suit just two minutes later, bringing the score to 5-0.
Despite the scoreline, Bhutan managed to find the back of the net just before halftime through Deki Lajom, who became the tournament's top scorer with her eighth goal. Bhutan had opportunities to reduce the deficit earlier in the match but were thwarted by Bangladesh's solid defense and goalkeeping.
The second half saw Bhutan improve slightly, but they struggled to convert their chances. Tohura Khatun completed her hat-trick in the 57th minute, further extending Bangladesh’s lead. Seuli Azam rounded off the scoring with Bangladesh's seventh goal in the 72nd minute.
With this victory, Bangladesh awaits the winner of the second semi-final between India and Nepal, set to kick off at 6:30 PM today. The final promises to be an exciting clash as Bangladesh aims for their second title after winning in 2022.
