Palestine retain Bangabandhu Gold Cup title

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DHAKA, Jan 25, 2020 (BSS)-Palestine retained the title of Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football tournament beating Burundi by 3-1 goals in the final today at Bangabandhu National Stadium here.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the day’s final as the chief guest and later she handed over the trophy to the champion team.

It was the second successive occasion for the Middle East country to win the prestigious Bangabandhu Gold Cup trophy after winning the maiden title backed in 2018.

In the day’s match, Palestine took early lead in the very 3rd minute when forward Khaled Selim sent the ball home with a cool-headed placing shot from handshake distance utilizing a cross from Mohamed Darwish from left flank (1-0).

Captain Sameh Maraaba doubled the lead in the 10th minute from goal mouth melee following coroner kick taken by Mahmoud Abuwarda in the right flank (2-0). Burundi came close of scoring in the 21st minute but Ndikumana Asman’s powerful shot from the close range shot was brilliantly fisted by Palestine goalie Tawfiq for safety.

Forward Layth Kharoub further widened the team’s margin scoring the third goal for Palestine in the 26th minute with a right footed shot from inside the danger zone after Khaled Salem’s shot from top of the D box came to his way after hitting the left side bar (3-0).

Burundi again missed another scoring chance in the 38th minute when Hitimana Hamza right-footed shot from inside the D box fisted by Palestine goalie Taufiq for safety.

After the resumption, Burundi were desperate to reduce the margin when their forward Gasongo Benjamin angular shot from the close range was brilliantly gripped by Palestine goalie Taufiq in the 53rd minute.

Burundi reduced the margin in the 60th minute. Asman Ndikumana sent the ball home with a right footer placing shot from goal-mouth melee. The ball found the net after deflecting Palestine the hand of goalie Tawfiq’s who drove in his left to clear the ball.

Palestine deprived from another goal in the 74th minute. Mahmoud Abuwarda taking the ball from mid field ran down and took an angular shot that narrowly missed the target.

Burundi deprived from another goal in the injury time when Ngabonziza Blanchard’s angular short from inside the D box went out of play beside the left side bar.

Palestine dominated the entire proceeding and notched their deserving victory while Burundi were off-colored, especially in the first half and failed to convert goals lack of proper finishing.

The champions team received cheque of U$D 30,000.00 while the runners-up got U$D 20,000.00 as prize money.

Palestine captain Sameh Maraaba was named the player of the match for his impressive performance in the final while Jospin Nshimirimana of Burundi won the golden boot award scoring highest seven goals in the tournament

Palestine goalie Taufiq was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament for conceding only one goal in the tournament while Palestine also won the fair play trophy award.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell MP, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin and BFF senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedy, were among others, also present in the prize distribution ceremony.