BKSP Become Champions

BKSP deservedly clinched the Western Union National Youth (Under-18) Football Championship title when they brushed aside Tangail 4-0 in the final yesterday.

The Savar sport institute, unbeaten champions, led the first half 2-0 at the Satkhira Stadium.

Sabbir Mahmud, who scored a hattrick, opened the account on the half hour and doubled the lead one minute before the breather. Man-of-the-match Sabbir completed his treble in the 70th minute while Towhidul Islam sealed the victory a minute later.

BKSP, who dominated the whole show, also bagged two more individual awards with Alamgir Kabir Rana being adjudged the player of the tournament and Sabbir finishing the top scorer with 13 goals.

BKSP Oust Hosts to Reach Final

BKSP set up a final clash against Tangail, when the Savar sport institute came from a goal down, to thrash hosts Satkhira 4-1 in the second semifinal of the Western Union National Youth Football Championship yesterday.

Pritam slotted a hattrick and Sabuj added the other for BKSP who were held goalless at halftime at the Satkhira Stadium and conceded the lead three minutes after resumption through local boy Jahir.

Tangail Book a Place in the Finals

Tangail won against Noakhali 2-1, to book their place in the final of the Western Union National Youth Football Championship 2007. From the very start, Tangail pressured Noakhali, creating three one on one chances with Didarul, the Noakhali keeper, inside the first 40 minutes. However, they failed to convert these chances and the first half ended goalless.

In the second half, Ripon headed in a Liton corner for Tangail, but the referee ruled out the goal for a foul on Didarul. Noakhali then scored themselves, with Shahidul scoring from 35 yards, after 66 minutes. Noakhali seemed to be on the verge of victory, until defender Alauddin handled the ball in the area, gifting Tangail a penalty and a lifeline, 4 minutes from the end of play. Awal converted the penalty to level the match. The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and the teams headed into extra time.

Tangail were once again awarded a penalty when Afsar fouled Liton from behind, but Rafiqul missed it. Didarul guessed correctly and dived to his left to save the shot. However, Rafiqul Islam scored the winning goal for Tangail, 9 minutes into extra time.

Tangail are scheduled to play the final on 29 May 2007.

Satkhira Advance to the Semis

Satkhira beat Rajshahi 2-0 and booked their place in the semi-finals. Mehdi Hasan Ripon scored a brace, at 19 & 27 minutes, and was awarded as the man of the match. The result leaves Satkhira as the group runners up on goal difference. They will face BKSP on 27 May in the second semi final.

In the other match, Tangail hammered Jhenidah 6-0. Man of the match, Rafiqul Islam, scored a hattrick, as Tangail run riot. The other goal scorers for Tangail were Awal and Ripon Miah (2). Tangail face Noakhali on 26 May in the first semifinal at Satkhira Stadium.

Tangail Sneak into Semis

Mohammed Raju fired four goals as Narayanganj trounced Khulna 5-1 in a Group B match of Western Union National Youth Football Championship final round at the Satkhira Stadium yesterday.

The match only had academic interest as Noakhali have already qualified for the semifinals while the other team to enter the last four would be decided after today's match between Rajshahi and hosts Satkhira.

Rajshahi, on seven points, need a draw but the home side (four points) must win by a three-goal margin to keep their dreams alive.

Raju, adjudged man-of-the-match, opened the scoring on the stroke of the first half and added his second five minutes after resumption. He completed the treble in the 79th minute and sealed the victory with his fourth goal three minutes from time. Jamal scored the other for the winners while Rabiul reduced the arrears for Khulna.

The other match of the day between Gaibandha and Narshingdi in Group B ended in a 2-2 draw. Mahmudul, who fluffed two easy chances, twice gave the lead to Gaibandha, who were 2-1 ahead at the break. Mobarak and Lipu scored either side of halftime to ensure a point for Narshingdi.

The draw confirmed Tangail's entry to the semis from the group behind winners BKSP, who are the only undefeated team in the competition.

Mobarak Carries Narsingdi

Mohammad Mobarak struck twice as Narsingdi outplayed Jhenidah 3-1 in the final phase of the Western Union National Youth Football Championship at Satkhira Stadium yesterday.

Mobarak scored twice, in the 20th and 67th minutes, while Arif netted the other for the winners in the 25th minute. Mashiur Rahman scored the consolation goal for the losers in the 54th minute.

In another match at the same venue, Khulna played out a 1-1 draw with Rajshahi. After a barren first half, Rabiul scored for Khulna in the 46th minute while Raju restored parity for Rajshahi in the 69th minute.

Seven More in Zonal Finals

Seven more teams Kurigram, Narayanganj, Jhenaidah, Gazipur, Comilla, Feni and Patuakhali - reached the zonal finals of the Western Union National Youth (Under-18) Football Championship yesterday.

Apple slammed four goals to inspire Kurigram trounce Lalmonirhat 7-1, Narayanganj beat Shariatpur 2-0, Jhenaidah thrashed Meherpur 4-0, Gazipur blanked Mymensingh 3-0, Feni brushed aside Bandarban 4-0 and Patuakhali defeated Bagerhat 2-0.

Comilla also advanced to the zonal final despite a 1-1 draw with Moulvibazar.

In other matches, Kushtia drew 2-2 with Sirajganj, Narail beat Jessore 2-0, Netrokona held Sherpur 2-2, Thakurgaon and Dinajpur shared an identical draw while Habiganj dumped Brahmanbaria 5-1 with a hattrick from Noman.

Thrilling Win for Jamalpur

A brace each by Milon and Shamsul helped Jamalpur win a seven-goal thriller against Manikganj at Sherpur yesterday in the first stage of the Western Union National Youth Football Championship.

Goals by Rafiq and Pintu put Manikganj 2-0 ahead before man-of-the-match Milon scored two goals inside one minute to draw level on the hour. Shamsul netted his first three minutes later but Babu equalised for Manikganj as the last ten minutes came alive.

Shamusl finally made it 4-3 in the 90th minute to ensure Manikganj's second defeat in the group.

In other matches, ten-man Madaripur held Munshiganj 2-2, Chuadanga and Rajbari failed to score in 90 minutes, Magura edged Gopalganj 1-0, Narshingdi beat Kishoreganj 2-1, Jhalokathi crushed Barisal 3-0, Nilphamari defeated Panchagarh 1-0 and Rangpur shared points with Naogaon in a goalless draw.

At Feni, Rangamati received walkover after Cox's Bazar failed to turn out.

Gazipur and Comilla Win Comfortably

Gazipur thrashed Sherpur 5-0 in the most one-sided match on the second day of the Western Union National Youth Football Championship yesterday.

Asad and Shahid each struck twice to help Gazipur take control at the Sherpur Stadium after Mymenisngh's 2-0 win over Netrokona earlier at the same venue.

In other matches, Narayanganj beat Chandpur 3-1, Kushtia blanked Meherpur 2-0, Jhenaidah edged Sirajganj 2-1 and Jessore defeated Faridpur by an identical margin.

At Habiganj, Moulvibazar held the hosts 1-1 but Comilla romped to a 4-0 win over Brahmanbaria with a brace from Russel. Feni comfortably won 3-0 over Laxmipur, Bagerhat won a five-goal thriller against Barguna 3-2, Kurigram beat Dinajpur 2-1 and hosts Lalmonirhat shared points with Thakurgaon in a 1-1 draw.

5 Hattricks on Opening Day

Jibon, Rubel and Hasan slammed hattricks as Lalmonirhat recorded the biggest win on the opening day of the Western Union National Youth Football Championship qualifiers yesterday.

All three players notched three goals at the Lalmonirhat Stadium each as the hosts Lalmonirhat brushed aside Panchagarh 9-0.

Ghafur and Jewel also slotted trebles in Dhaka's 7-1 thrashing of Madaripur at Shariatpur. Pabna blanked Rajbari 3-0, Khulna edged Gopalganj 2-1, Tangail beat Manikganj by a solitary goal and BKSP defeated Barisal 2-0.

In other matches, Sylhet shared points with Kishoreganj in a 1-1 draw while Rangamati held home side Noakhali 2-2.