Skipper Shamsunnanhar’s brilliant hat-trick powered hosts Bangladesh to the final of the Four Nations U-20 Women’s Championship ‘2023, which saw all-conquerors Bhutan thrash them 5-0 unbeaten in the final league match under floodlight at the Bir Shereshtha Shaheed Shipahi Kamlapur Stadium. Tuesday evening at Mustafa Kamal Stadium.
The title match will be held between hosts Bangladesh and Himalayan country Nepal on Thursday (February 9) at 6 pm on the same ground.
With the day’s achievement, Bangladesh topped the four-team group, the only unbeaten team to score seven points from three matches, Nepal finished runners-up with six points from three matches to reach the final, while India dropped out of the meeting. Four points from three matches.
In the last league match of the day, captain Shamsunhar scored a hat-trick of three goals, while Akalima Khatun scored two more for Bangladesh, who dominated the first half 2–0.
Aklima Khatoon opened the floodgates for Bangladesh in the 22nd minute by tapping in Shamsun Nahar’s (1-0) cross.
Bangladesh were awarded a penalty in the next minute but forward Shahida Akhtar Ripa wasted the opportunity by sending the spot kick wide.
Shamsunnahar doubled Bangladesh’s margin in the 29th minute with a fine header from Onoti Khatun’s corner (2-0) and dominated the first half with a 2-0 goal.
Shamsunhar scored his second and third goals for Bangladesh in the 53rd minute with a fine shot that kissed the net after hitting the side post (3-0).
Aklima Khantun scored the fourth goal for Bangladesh and the second in the 60th minute (4-0).