Bangladesh thrash Pakistan as Sabina slams hat-trick
Bangladesh will play their final match of the championship against Maldives today (25 January)
Captain Sabina Khatun struck a superb four-goal haul yesterday (23 January) as Bangladesh women thrashed Pakistan 9–1 in their penultimate match of the SAFF Women's Futsal Championship at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sabina netted in the 8th, 16th, 34th, and 40th minutes to lead the rout. Noushon Jahan and Krishna Rani Sarkar added two goals apiece, scoring in the 10th and 12th minutes, and the 16th and 32nd minutes respectively, while Nilufa Yeasmin Nila chipped in with a lone goal in the 10th minute in a one-sided contest.
Anmol Hira scored the solitary consolation goal for Pakistan in the 33rd minute.
With this emphatic victory, Bangladesh strengthened their grip at the top of the points table with 13 points from five matches. Pakistan remained sixth with seven points from the same number of matches.
Earlier in the tournament, Bangladesh made a winning start by defeating India 3–1 in their opening match. Sabina and her teammates then came from behind to draw 3–3 with Bhutan, blanked Nepal 3–0 in their third match, and beat Sri Lanka 6–3 in their fourth outing.
Pakistan, meanwhile, had earlier drawn 1–1 with Bhutan, beaten Sri Lanka 3–2, defeated Maldives 3–1, and suffered defeats against India (5–3) and Nepal (5–1).
Bangladesh will play their final match of the championship against Maldives today (25 January) at the same venue. The team topping the table after all seven rounds will be crowned champions of the SAFF Women's Futsal Championship.
