Driven by a dazzling display from star midfielder Hamza Choudhury, Bangladesh swept aside Sri Lanka 4-0 at the National Stadium, Dhaka on Wednesday. With two wins and six points, Thomas Dooley’s side sealed top spot in Group A and advanced to the SAFF Championship semi-finals.
The result also helped Bhutan finish as runners-up on goal difference, eliminating Sri Lanka. In the semis, India will face Bhutan while Bangladesh meet Pakistan on Saturday.
Dooley handed Hamza his first start of the tournament and the captain’s arm-band, with Farhaan Ali Wahid and Mohammad Ibrahim also returning to the XI.
Bangladesh dominated from the start. In the eighth minute, Hamza’s dangerous cross forced a punch from the goalkeeper. The ball fell to Shamit Shome, who smashed home the rebound after his first effort was blocked.
Hamza nearly scored a spectacular goal in the 25th minute with a clever back-heel that hit the roof of the net. Just before half-time he made it 2-0, receiving a pass from Ibrahim, beating a defender and firing a powerful shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar — his fifth goal for Bangladesh.
Farhaan effectively killed the contest in the 52nd minute with a moment of individual brilliance, slaloming past three defenders before threading a precise finish into the far corner.
Bangladesh sealed the win in the 87th minute when Rakib Hossain was sent clear on a counter-attack and calmly chipped the goalkeeper. The 4-0 triumph marked Bangladesh’s third successive SAFF victory over Sri Lanka.
