Dhaka, Dec 6:
Ace striking duo Kasun Jayasuriya and Ediri Channa’s power and precision proved too much for a hapless Bhutan as the firing pair shared five goals in a thrashing 6-0 triumph over Bhutan in a Group B match of the Bangabandhu SAFF Championship at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday.
Kasun slammed the first hat-trick of the tournament while his partner Channa netted two in the rout of Bhutan. Chatura Gunarathne sealed the victory. With the second consecutive win, Sri Lanka all but ensured a semifinal berth with last group match against Bangladesh on Tuesday.
The defeat, their second in a row, confirmed last SAFF Championship’s surprise semifinalists Bhutan’s exit from the meet.
Channa put Sri Lanka ahead in the 8th minute after Kasun Jayasuriya paved the way for Channa to blast home from the middle of the box.
Bhutan came back strongly in the game and initiated a series of attacks between the 22 to 27 minutes. But lack of proper finishing kept them at the bay. Gyeltshen with all the time in his hand shot above the crosspiece from the middle of the box midway through the first half and three minutes later, Nawang Dendup fed by Gylsthen dribbled went past his marker and even the onrushing Sri Lankan custodian Sadishkumar but his diagonal goal bound shot from the six yard box was cleared by veteran defender Dudley Steinwall.
Bhutan after putting all the pressure thought to relax a bit and wily Channa doubled the lead with an opportunistic strike. Taking control of a rebound on the top of the box, Channa coolly drove the ball into the roof of the net.
Bhutan suddenly fell out of the rhythm and Sri Lanka exploited the situation. Piling upon all the pressure Sri Lanka scored their third goal through Jayasuriya. Dancing down the midfield Kasun dribbled past two defenders with sheer pace and drilled a low shot past Bhutanese custodian Pema.
Bhutan gave out in the second half and Sri Lanka dominated all the way till the end. Kasun was firing on all cylinders with Channa and Gunaratne creating havoc at the flanks. Kasun scored his second in the 65th minute cutting a neat minus of Channa from handshaking distance and completed the hat-trick in the 78th minute with a beautiful sliding push. Midfilder Izzadeen headed a Gunaratne cross in the middle of the box and Kasun drifted sideways to place the ball into the far post.
Gunatrathne slammed the sixth goal seconds before referee blew the final whistle when he headed home a Channa cross from the right touchline.