Dhaka, Nov 12 (V7N)- Bangladesh stormed into the semi-finals of the 2026 SAFF Championship as Group A champions after defeating Sri Lanka 4-0 in their final group-stage match at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Shamit Shome, Hamza Choudhury, Farhaan Ali Wahid and Rakib Hossain scored the goals to secure a convincing victory for the hosts.
Bangladesh made an attacking start and took the lead in the eighth minute. Sri Lankan goalkeeper Sujan Perera failed to clear Hamza's cross properly, and the ball deflected off a defender before falling to Shamit. His first attempt was blocked, but he scored on the rebound.
Sri Lanka had an opportunity to equalise in the 38th minute when a dangerous cross entered the Bangladesh penalty area, but none of their players could make contact with the ball.
Bangladesh doubled their advantage just before half-time. In the 43rd minute, Hamza received a pass from Ibrahim outside the penalty area, got past a Sri Lankan defender and fired a shot that went into the net after taking a deflection off goalkeeper Perera.
The hosts continued their attacking approach after the break. Farhaan Ali Wahid produced an impressive solo effort in the 53rd minute, dribbling past three Sri Lankan players before finding the net. It was his first goal on home soil.
Rakib Hossain completed the 4-0 victory with a fine individual finish in the 87th minute, getting past a defender before sending the ball into the net.
With two wins from two matches, Bangladesh finished at the top of Group A and advanced to the semi-finals. Bhutan qualified as group runners-up, while Sri Lanka were eliminated.
Bangladesh will face Group B runners-up Pakistan in the second semi-final on November 14 at 8:30 pm. In the other semi-final, Group B champions India will take on Bhutan at 3:00 pm on the same day.
END/SMA/AJ
