Bangladesh moved within touching distance of the SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship title after producing a commanding 9–1 victory over Pakistan, powered by a hat-trick performance from the captain Sabina Khatun. The emphatic win keeps Bangladesh unbeaten and firmly on course for the crown.
Sabina led from the front with four goals, while Krishna Rani Sarkar and Nouson Jahan each struck twice as Bangladesh completely outplayed their opponents. With the big win, Bangladesh now sit at the top of the table with 13 points from five matches.
The title could be sealed as early as today if the match between India and Bhutan ends in a draw. India currently sit second with nine points, while Bhutan are third with eight. A draw would take India to 10 points and Bhutan to nine, making it impossible for either side to catch Bangladesh even if Sabina’s team lose their final match. Should India win their last game and finish level with Bangladesh on 13 points, the title would still go Bangladesh’s way due to their head-to-head victory over India, in line with SAFF by-laws.
Playing at the Nonthaburi Hall in Thailand, Bangladesh gave Pakistan no breathing space from the opening minutes. The floodgates opened in the seventh minute when Sabina converted a neat pass from Matsushima Sumaiya with a precise close-range finish. Moments later, Nilufa Yasmin Neela doubled the lead after being set up by Sabina.
Pakistan were effectively taken out of the contest when Naoshin Jahan struck twice in quick succession in the 10th and 12th minutes. Before the break, Krishna Rani and Sabina added one goal each to complete a dominant first half, with Bangladesh heading into the interval with a commanding 6–0 lead.
Although Bangladesh slightly reduced the tempo in the second half, the goals kept coming. Krishna Rani grabbed her second of the match in the 32nd minute. Pakistan managed a consolation goal through Anmool Hira, but it did little to change the course of the contest. Sabina then capped a brilliant individual performance by scoring two more goals late in the game to complete her haul and seal a resounding 9–1 victory.
Bangladesh, who remain unbeaten in the tournament, will face Maldives in their final round-robin match on Sunday. According to tournament regulations, the team finishing with the highest points from the seven participating nations will be crowned champions.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
