Pirojpur and Jhalokathi booked their places in the Kirtankhola zone final of the National Under-17 Championship on Thursday at Pirojpur District Stadium with controlled, decisive semi-final wins.
Pirojpur tore through Bagerhat with aggressive pressing and relentless width. They pinned Bagerhat deep, stretched the defence, and turned pressure into goals without losing shape.
Their midfield dictated tempo and recycled attacks quickly. Wide runners dragged defenders out, while runners from deep attacked the space they left behind.
The numbers told the story. Pirojpur stacked up corners, free-kicks and shots on target, while Bagerhat barely threatened the goal.
Mehedi Hasan Rana stood out by linking play and finishing moves. His performance earned him the match’s top honour and underlined Pirojpur’s attacking balance.
The second semi-final followed a different script. Jhalokathi played with discipline and patience to beat Barguna 2–0.
They sat compact without parking the bus, closed passing lanes, and waited for mistakes. When Barguna pushed numbers forward, Jhalokathi punished them with cleaner final-third execution.
Barguna enjoyed spells of possession but lacked incision. Jhalokathi defended their box well and protected the lead with calm decision-making.
Abdul Maleki again drove Jhalokathi’s momentum with energy and delivery. His consistent influence earned him the match’s individual recognition.
Now the tournament points to Saturday’s final. Pirojpur bring firepower and tempo, while Jhalokathi arrive with structure and control, setting up a balanced Kirtankhola zone showdown.
