Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Defending champions Bangladesh stormed into the final of the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship with a resounding 7-1 victory over Bhutan.
In the first semifinal played at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Sunday, Tohura Khatun scored a hat trick, while Captain Sabina Khatun scored a brace, and Ritu Porna Chakma and Masura Parvin each scored a goal.
Deki Lhazom scored a consolation goal for Bhutan in the 41st minute.
Bangladesh opened the scoring in the 7th minute when the Bhutanese keeper failed to stop Ritu Porna’s powerful shot. Tohura scored her first and her team’s second in the 15th minute with a powerful shot from the six-yard box that beat the Bhutanese keeper. Sabina scored Bangladesh’s third in the 25th minute from Monika Chakma’s pass after her initial shot ricocheted off the post.
Tohura got her second in the 36th minute from outside the box. Sabina scored her second two minutes later as Bhutanese defenders failed to deal with Bangladeshi keeper Rupna’s goal kick.
Deki Lhazom pulled one back for Bhutan in the 41st minute from Chhiring Lhaden’s cross.
Tohura completed her hat trick in the 58th minute. Although Bhutan created some promising moves afterward, they conceded a seventh goal when Masura Parvin headed in a corner in the 71st minute.
Bangladesh will now meet the winner of the second semifinal between Nepal and India in the final.
