Akhi keeps her promise

Dhaka, December 20: She made a promise before the SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship unfolded. She said Bangladesh sports arena had not witnessed the standards of Bangladesh women’s football team as the best was demonstrated in Tajikistan and Nepal earlier. Now they have the opportunity to showcase their talents in their own yard and she promised to demonstrate it in the ongoing tournament. She did it exceptionally. The two wonder strikes in the 3-0 win over Bhutan that propelled Bangladesh to the final was scored by none other than towering defender Akhi Khatun.

On Tuesday, the packed Bhutanese defence made the life of Bangladesh forward line harder than their anticipation and they had very little space to stamp their authority. With Tohura Khatun, Anuching Mogini and Marzia failing to mark their presence Akhi rose on the occasion. In the 13th minute, she used her height to head home a corner of Marzia and the headwork was precise, confident and full of power.

The second one was more attractive. It was scored of the outside part of her left foot. It was another corner of Marzia that dipped down in the middle of the box, instead of heading it Akhi decided to use his left foot and hit the top of the net with a superb placing effort. She raised her arms in glory and duly was grounded by her celebrating teammates.

This is the first time Akhi scored twice in an international game to record three international goals in her short career as she scored one goal for a 9-0 victory against Nepal in group stage battle of the AFC U-14 Women’s Championship (zonal) in Tajikistan in 2016.

A class nine student and a member of ‘Weaver or Tanti’ family of Sirajganj was the center attraction in the post match presser. She was modest to reveal that she never thought anything but winning the match and felt proud of her contribution. She revealed she likes the style of Spanish midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez.

BFF’s strategy and technical director Paul Smalley once said, “This girl is going to be the future of Bangladesh football.” Akhi is on the way of execute it.

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