Dhaka, June 07: Fourteen boys from Tangail, who perhaps visited the capital of Bangladesh for the first time, made the trip to Dhaka memorable by booking tickets for South Africa where the FIFA World Cup kicks off next Friday.
It was a dream come true for the kids below 12 years from remote villages who became the Grameen Danone Nation Cup champions to earn the right to join 44 more countries in the Danone Nations Cup finals in Johannedburg from September 29 to October 4.
Tangail overpowered Jhalkathi 3 – 0 in the final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with a display of skill and hard work that won the hearts of the football lovers.
Striker Shuvo Khan scored twice in 9th and 15th minute and Mishu scored the final one in the 21st minute to seal the 30-minute match.
Tangail’s left-winger Robiul Hasan, who was dubbed as the most skilful player of the tournament and set a superb second goal for Shuvo, became the highest scorer of the competition scoring five goals. His teammate and playmaker Anik Ghosh became the tournament’s most valuable player.
In the day’s other matches, Comilla edged Thakurgaon, who won the Fair Play trophy, 4 – 3 in the tiebreakers after a 1 – 1 draw in regulation to finish third, Jessore became fifth defeating Rajbari 3 – 0 and Kushtia finished 7th beating Bogra 3 – 2.
The chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel handed the Champions trophy to the winning team as the chief guest at the concluding ceremony. ”The players have proved their quality and we can dream of playing World Cup one day if we can nurture these youngsters,” said Russel.
Sponsors Grameen Danone Foods Ltd’s executive director Corinne Bazina was very happy as all the things ended nicely.
BFF vice-presidents Badal Roy, Kazi Nabil Ahmed, members Anwarul Huq Helal, Fazlur Rahman Babul, Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu and Satyajit Das were also present.