Trishna treble as Bangladesh U20s hit Timor-Leste for 8 in AFC qualifiers

Striker Trishna Sarkar leads the rampage with a hat-trick

The players enjoyed a continuous celebration of goals throughout the match. Photo: BFF

A hat-trick from striker Trishna Rani Sarkar powered Bangladesh to 8-0 demolition of Timor-Leste, sending them to the top of Group H in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Peter James Butler’s team started with caution at the New Laos National Stadium on Friday, but created an early opportunity, though defender Nabiran Khatun failed to find the net from close range in the 8th minute.

Bangladesh broke the deadlock in the 20th minute from a set-piece when Sinha Shikha, unmarked at the far post, headed home a corner.

In the 33rd minute, Shanti Mardi doubled the lead with a stunning left-footed “Olympico” that curled directly into the net off the far post, followed shortly by Nabiran’s header from another corner to extend the advantage.

In stoppage time of the first half, Sagorika’s brilliant cutback from the right side of the box allowed Trishna to slot the ball into the net.

The team started the second half with the same tempo, as Trishna capitalised on a scramble to put her side 5-0 up.

In the 73rd minute, Sagorika, who had scored twice in the previous match, latched onto a through pass and rounded the goalkeeper to slot home.

Eight minutes later, Trishna completed her hat-trick by tapping in a precise cross from Sagorika.

The rout was complete when Munki Akhtar scored the team's eighth goal in stoppage time.

After launching their Group H campaign with a 3-1 victory against hosts Laos, Butler’s team will next take on the group’s toughest opponents, South Korea, on Sunday.