Mohammad Maraz Hossain guided Bangladesh to the grand finale of the Saff U-18 Championship as the young booters thumped Bhutan 4-0 in the first semi-final at Armed Police Force Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal on Friday (Sept 27).
Maraz, equally lethal with both feet - a novelty in the game of football - might have scored just once but he was the chief architect of the victory with his probing runs and efforts from outside the box.
Bangladesh led the first half 3-0 and added one more in the second half injury time to book their berth in the final Sunday at the same venue where they will face either India or Maldives.
India and Maldives will face off against each other in the second semi Friday in Kathmandu at 3:15pm, Bangladesh standard time.
Bhutan were no match for the young booters in red and green as Mohammad Tanbir Hossain gave Bangladesh the lead in the 16th minute, courtesy a header following a long throw in from the right flank.
Foysal Ahmed Fahim doubled the lead in the 27th minute with a brilliant left foot finish from the left flank after being released through on goal.
In the meantime, Maraz was causing the Bhutan defence all sorts of problems and the reason behind all things good for Bangladesh, the reigning runners-up of the regional age-level competition.
Maraz, after several attempts finally got reward for his endeavor when he found the back in the 32nd minute with a scorching left-footed shot from outside the box.
Bangladesh got a number of chances to increase their lead in the first half but the Bhutan goalkeeper Tenzin Dorji stood tall to deny the opposition with a couple of good saves.
The second half was a more evenly contested affair with Bhutan just about edging it in terms of ball possession and chances created.
If Maraz led the attacking line with aplomb, it was Bangladesh goalkeeper Shanto Kumar Ray who was the rock at the back, especially in the second half.
Shanto made a couple of good saves and registered Bangladesh’s third clean sheet in the competition in as many matches.
Substitute Dipok Roy added the cherry on the cake when he crashed the back of the net in the 92nd minute with a right-foot screamer.
The final and third-place playoff will be held Sunday, kicking off at 3:15pm and 11:15am (BST) respectively in Nepal’s capital city.
Bangladesh earlier began their campaign with a resounding 3-0 win over Sri Lanka before concluding the group stages with a goalless draw against India.
RESULT
Bangladesh U-18 4 (Tanbir 16, Fahim 27, Maraz 32, Dipok 90+2) - 0 Bhutan U-18
Starting XI
Shanto Kumar Ray, Sadekuzzaman Fahim, Yeasin Arafat, Mohammad Tanbir Hossain, Kazi Rahad Mia, Mohammad Maraz Hossain, Amir Hakim Bappy, Foysal Ahmed Fahim, Mohammad Jamir Uddin, Mohammad Ridoy, Mohammad Fahim Morshed