Hosts Bangladesh made a flying start in the three-nation Group H match of the AFC U-20 Women's Asia Cup Qualifiers outplaying Turkmenistan by 4-0 goals in their first match at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mustafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here on Friday.
Striker Aklima Khatun and midfielder Sapna Rani scored two goals each for Bangladesh, which dominated the first half by 1-0 goal.
Bangladesh Television telecasted the matches live while Bangladesh Beter broadcast the running commentary of the match like the opening match.
In the day's match, Aklima opened Bangladesh's account in the stoppage time of the first half by a volley from a goalmouth melee off Sapna's corner (1-0).
She doubled the margin in the 71st minute by a right footer, utilizing a pass of Ety Khantun (2-0).
Sapna Rani scored two quick goals in a span of only one minute (81st and 82nd minutes) enabling Bangladesh to a comfortable victory.
Iran thrash Turkmenistan 7-1 to start AFC U-20 Women's Asia Cup qualifiers
After the day's match, both Iran and hosts Bangladesh kept their second round hope alive with an unbeaten run securing full three points from one match each and will battle each other on Sunday (March 12) for the group title.
Stronger Islamic Republic of Iran, which made a brilliant start crushing Turkmenistan in style by 7-1 goal in the tournament opener featuring a brilliant hattrick by Hasti Forouzandeh, needs just a draw to be group champions.
But, Bangladesh, which went down in the race due to poor goal differences, have to beat Iran in the last match on Sunday to assure the group crown.
The 2nd round of the tournament with eight group champion teams will be held in June 1-11 while four qualified teams from the 2nd round will earn the right to play in the eight-team final round to be held in Uzbekistan from March 3-16 next year alongwith last time champions Japan, DPR Korea, South Korea and hosts Uzbekistan.
Source: United News of Bangladesh