Bangladesh, Laos U-19 women declared joint champions as Fani forces cancellation of Bangamata Gold Cup final

Bangladesh and Laos have been declared champions of Bangamata U-19 Women’s International Gold Cup tournament as the cyclonic storm Fani has forced the organisers to cancel the final match.

Bangladesh Football Federation Senior Vice President Abdus Salam Murshedy made the announcement just after the match was scheduled to start at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka at 6pm on Friday.

Murshedy, who heads the tournament’s organising committee, said it did not want to take any risk though the weather in the capital was favourable to playing the match.

Both finalists had stormed into the semifinals after finishing unbeaten champions in the group stage.

Bangladesh beat Mongolia 3-0 in the semis after 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates and 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan in group matches.

Laos crushed Mongolia 5-0 and Tajikistan 6-0 in the group stage before thumping Kyrgyzstan 7-1 in the semis.

Parts of Dhaka under the influence of cyclonic storm experienced rain. Photo: Asif Mahmud Ove

Cyclone Fani, rated a very severe storm, has already claimed three lives along Odisha coast in India.

Lightning strikes have killed at least six people in central Bangladesh district of Kishoreganj during thunderstorms under the cyclone’s influence.

The weather in the capital was cloudy and there were rains.

Laos Manager Galdansukh Tuvshinbayar said it is “unfortunate” for any team to not get to play a scheduled final, but they accepted the decision taken by the organisers considering the situation triggered by the storm.

Bangladesh and Laos will now equally share the total prize money, $25,000 for the champions and $15,000 for the runners-up, Murshedy said.