Dhaka: Touring Bangladesh will play the Maldives in the 2nd semifinal of the 4th SAFF Women’s Championships at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in the Indian town of Siliguri on Monday.

Hosts India, the champions of all three SAFF Women’s meets, will face Nepal in the first semifinal, also on Monday.

The final will be held on Wednesday (Jan 4) at the same venue.

The Bangladesh team, led by Sabina Khatun, stormed into the semifinal as unbeaten Group B champions after playing goalless draw with holder and hosts India on Friday following their 6-0 victory over Afghanistan, featuring five goals by the skipper. India managed a 5-1 victory against Afghanistan.

Sabina Khatun remained in the 2nd place in the scorer list making five goals in two matches while Sabitra Bhandari of Nepal topped the list scoring 11 goals in three matches.

Bangladesh goalie Sabina Akhter displayed her ever-best performance under the bar against giant India on Friday after making at least three brilliant saves. 

Bangladesh coach Mahbubur Rahman Litu said Sabina was undoubtedly the hero of the Friday’s match. The veteran goalie, who has been part of the side since 2009, saved the day. “She saved Bangladesh twice in one-on-one situations.  Sabina saved three sure goals. There was another shot that hit the bar.”

Asked about the game, custodian Sabina said, “This was my best performance so far and agreed that it was her most memorable match too.