Bangladesh crush Sri Lanka in SAFF U-17 Championship

Bangladesh team made a flying start in the six-nation SAFF U-17 Championship crushing hosts Sri Lanka by 5-1 goals in one of the two opening days matches at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka Monday evening.

Touring Bangladesh dominated the first half and led 2-0 within just 11 minutes.

Rubel Shaikh put Bangladesh ahead in the 7th minute by pushing the ball to the empty net from close utilizing a lapse of Sri Lankan custodian Mohamed Rihas (1-0) while Mohammad Murshed Ali doubled Bangladesh's margin from a goalmouth melee in the 11th minute (2-0).

That was the scoreline at halftime. When the players returned to the field, Murshed Ali, Sirajul Islam Rana and Mohamad Nazimuddin added one goal each for Bangladesh in the 75th, 79th and 90+3 minutes.

Yasser Sharfraz in the 77th minute scored the consolation strike for the hosts.  

Bangladesh team, which was placed in Group A along with Sri Lanka and the Maldives, will play the Maldives in the remaining group match on Wednesday (Sept 7) at the same venue

Earlier, India also made a good start in the regional youth soccer meet outplaying Bhutan by 3-0 goals in the inaugural match at the same venue Monday afternoon.

Group B team comprises India, Nepal and Bhutan.

On completion of group matches, the top two teams from each group will play in the semifinals on Sept 12 while the final game will be held on Sept 14.

Bangladesh team- Mohammad Asif, Imran Khan, Parvej Ahmed (Mohammad Ratul), Sirajul Islam Rana, Chandon Roy, Ashiqur Rahman, Rubel Shaikh, Swapon Hossain, Mirajul Islam, Nazmul Huda Faisal and Murshed Ali.