Photos: Protik Rahman, BFF
The end of March was a new beginning for football. The AFC U23 Championship 2016, rolled away with a series of events, both home and abroad. The qualifier rounds for teams in Group E were held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on 27th, 29th and 31st March. Group E consisted of U23 teams from Bangladesh, India, Syria and Uzbekistan. The teams competed against each other to make it to the championship which will be held in Qatar. The top three qualifying teams will participate in the 2016 Summer Olympics which will be held in Rio de Janeiro in August.
The tournament began on 27th March, with an opening match between Uzbekistan and India at 3 PM. Although throughout the first half neither teams scored goals, in the second half Uzbekistan put immense pressure on India which led to their first goal in the 87th minute by Igor Sergeev. This lifted the team’s spirit, following up with the second goal at 90+2 minutes by Vladimir Kozak which gained them victory over the Indian team.
The match between Syria and Bangladesh kicked off at 6 PM. This match yielded in more audience, considering that Bangladesh was the host for the matches in Group E. Throughout the match, the Syrians asserted their dominance. The first goal was scored by Syrian midfielder Omar Khribin during the 5th minute at free kick.
It was after the second free kick that the Syrians took over the game. Midfielder, Mahmood Al Baher scored the second goal at the 15th minute. Khribin scored the third goal during penalty at the 45th minute.
The winning goal for the Syrian team was scored by substitute forward Mahmoud Al Mawas at the 82nd minute with a neat shot.
The Group E matches continued on 29th March, starting with a game between India and Syria at 3 PM. Syrians got their game on at the 15th minute with the first goal, scored by Mahmoud Al Mawas. The Indian team fought back, but was soon taken over by Khribin’s goal at the 45th minute. Mawas’ counter attack made way for Khribin to score the third goal for the match. It was his fourth goal in two matches. Mawas scored the winning goal at the 81st minute.
Uzbekistan took the hosts by storm when midfielder Masharipov Jaloliddin’s angular free kick made the first goal at the fourth minute. Captain Sardor Rakhmanov scored the second goal with a header at the 13th minute. He also scored the third goal with a header at the 30th minute. Finally, victory was sealed by midfielder Abbosher Makhstaliev at the 40th minute.
The final matches for Group E were held on 31st March with Syria competing with Uzbekistan. Syria took the lead in the 29th minute, with Omar Khribin’s goal, which gave the midfielder the leverage to score the second goal during penalty at 45+2 minutes. Uzbekistan’s efforts didn’t go unrewarded; the team got their first goal during the 59th minute mark by Makhstaliev. Despite a gruelling match, the Syrians came out as the victors in Group E, with nine points giving Uzbekistan second place with six points.
The match between India and Bangladesh resulted in a draw tying both teams to one points each for the group.
AFC U14 GIRLS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
While the Bangladeshi men’s team strive to make a difference in the football front, women’s teams are also making headlines. AFC U-14 Girl’s Regional Championship 2015 was held at Dashrath Stadium and Army Physical Centre in Kathmandu from 20th-25th of April. Teams participating in Group B consisted of Bangladesh, Bhutan and India.
Group B’s first match was held between India and Bhutan at 4pm. India played a stellar match, defeating Bhutan with a score of 12-0.
The Indian team dominated the game from the very beginning and their constant pressure paid off when four minutes later, Somaaya Nadia scored two goals.
After the 20th minute India’s attacking strategies threatened Bhutan throughout the game. The Indian team lead the game with a score of 7-0 at halftime. Soumya Guguloth, Bannya Kabiraj, Laxmi Devi, and a brace by Thailand Yumlembam doubled the lead for the Indian team. Thailand Yumlembam completed her hat trick, three minutes into the second half scoring the eighth goal for India.
On 21st April, the match between India and Bangladesh kicked off at 1 PM. It was in the last 20th minute that Marzia scored the first goal for Bangladesh with a ground shot. At the 25th minute, Soni Kumar’s volley shot broke the pressure built by the Bangladeshi team and scored the first goal for India. The match resulted in a draw, tying both teams to a score of 1-1.
Bangladesh faced Bhutan on 22nd April at the Army Physical Centre coming out as the victors and defeating Bhutan with a score of 16-0. Marzia scored the first goal at the 1st minute followed by Krishna’s goal at the 6th minute. At the 12th minute Shopna scored the third goal. In the 14th minute Maria scored the fourth goal. She scored two more goals in the first half at the 21st and 28th minute. The game was entirely in favour of Bangladesh. Further into the game, more goals were scored by Marzia, Moushumi, Sanjida and the winning goal was scored by Tuhura at the 57th minute.
Bangladesh reached the semi-finals of AFC U-14 Girls Regional Championship 2015, beating Iran 2-0 at the Dashrath Stadium, Nepal. Krishna Rani scored at the 23rd minute and Marzia doubled the lead at the 63rd. Due to the earthquake in Nepal, the team was brought back to safety and the date for the final match is yet to be announced.
AFC U14 GIRLS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
SOUTH & CENTRAL ASIA
OFFICIAL MATCH SCHEDULE
Host: Kathmandu, Nepal
Dates: 20 – 25 April 2015
Women’s Futsal Fiesta 2015
Bangladesh National Women’s Football Team’s ace forward Sabina Khatun, created history by playing for Club Maldives Women’s Football Fiesta 2015 in March and April. Sabina was the first female footballer from Bangladesh who represented a foreign club. The forward who has scored one hundred and sixteen local and ten international goals in her five year long playing career, played for Police Club Maldives.
Results of Maldives Women’s Futsal Fiesta 2015:
Total Score: 37
Name: Sabina Khatun
Birth Date: 25-10-1993
Hometown: Polashpur, Sakthira Sadar, Satkhira.
Professional Track Record (International and local)
International Games:
2010 – SA Games, Bangladesh
2010 – AFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2011 (Q), Bangladesh
2010 -1st SAFF Women’s Football Championship, Bangladesh
2012 – 2nd SAFF Women’s Football Championship, Srilanka
2013 – Bangladesh- Kolkata friendly Match, Kolkata
2013 – AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2014(Q), Bangladesh
2014 – 3rd SAFF Women’s Football Championship, Pakistan
2015 – Maldives Women’s Futsal Fiesta 2015, Maldives
Local Games:
2009 – Citycell National Women’s Football Championship
2011 – Dhaka Metropolitan Women’s Football League
2012 – KFC National Women’s Football Championship
2013 – KFC National Women’s Football Championship
2013 – Walton Dhaka Metropolitan Women’s Football League (Best Player of the Tournament)
Coaching Career:
2013 – FIFA women’s Coaching Course
2013 – AFC ‘C’ Certificate Course
The eighth season of Manyavar Bangladesh Football Premier League 2015 kicked off on 7th April. Eleven teams are participating in this tournament and the matches are being held in Dhaka, Chittagong, Feni and Gopalganj. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club is the defending champions from the previous season and participants of the tournament. Notable clubs like Brothers Union, Chittagong Abahani, Dhaka Abahani, Dhaka Mohammedan, Forashganj SC, Feni Soccer Club, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, Rahmatganj MFS, Sheikh Russel KC and Team BJMC are also taking part in the tournament. Rounds one to six were held in April and rounds seven to eleven will continue till 21st May. The fixtures for round seven to eleven for Manyavar Bangladesh Football Premier League 2015 are given below.
Manyavar Bangladesh Football Premier League 2015
