Host nation Bangladesh sealed top spot in their SAFF Championship group with a dominant 4-0 victory over Sri Lanka at the Gulistan National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday evening. Having already secured their place in the semi-finals prior to the encounter, the hosts delivered a clinical attacking display to finish the group phase on a high. Goals from Shamit Shome, Hamza Choudhury, Farhan Ali, and Rakib capped off a commanding performance that delighted the home crowd.
Kicking off at 8:00 pm, Bangladesh asserted control from the opening whistle with animated and disciplined football. An early warning sign came in the fifth minute when Hamza Choudhury sent a dangerous free-kick just over the crossbar from outside the penalty area. The hosts did not have to wait long for the breakthrough, opening the scoring three minutes later in the eighth minute. Hamza whipped in a menacing cross from the right flank that Sri Lankan goalkeeper Sujan Perera failed to collect. Shamit Shome seized on the loose ball in the box, seeing his initial effort blocked by a defender before slotting home the rebound to send the stadium into raptures.
Bangladesh doubled their lead shortly before the interval in the 43rd minute. Ibrahim set up Hamza with a precise pass outside the penalty box, allowing the midfielder to outpace a Sri Lankan defender before driving a shot that deflected off keeper Perera and into the net. The two-goal cushion reflected Bangladesh’s overwhelming control throughout a comfortable first half.
The momentum continued after the break, with Farhan Ali producing a moment of individual brilliance in the 53rd minute. Receiving the ball outside the penalty area, Farhan drove down the left side, skilfully weaving past three defenders before finishing with composure. The extraordinary goal left the Sri Lankan defence helpless and drew astonished celebrations from teammate Hamza, while Saad Uddin and other players lifted Farhan onto their shoulders.
Rakib, who had been a constant threat throughout the match with sharp runs and crosses, put the finishing touch on the victory in the 87th minute. Collecting the ball well outside the box, he outran his marker to face Perera one-on-one before executing a delightful chip over the advancing goalkeeper. The exquisite finish sealed an emphatic 4-0 win, cementing Bangladesh’s position at the summit of the group as they march into the semi-finals with momentum.
