Palestine retain Bangabandhu Gold Cup title

Palestine retained the title of Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football tournament beating Burundi by 3-1 goals in the final at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital on Saturday, reports BSS.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina enjoyed the final as the chief guest and later handed over the trophy to the champions.

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

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

Captain Sameh Maraaba doubled the lead in the 10th minute from a melee following coroner kick taken by Mahmoud Abuwarda in the right flank (2-0).

Burundi came close to scoring in the 21st minute but Ndikumana Asman’s powerful shot from the close range 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 missed another scoring chance in the 38th minute when Hitimana Hamza’s 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. The ball found the net after deflecting the hand of Palestinian goalie Tawfiq’s who drove in his left to clear the ball.

Palestine was deprived from another goal in the 74th minute. An angular shot of Mahmoud Abuwarda 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-coloured, especially in the first half and failed to convert goals due to lack of proper finishing.

The champions team received cheque of USD 30,000 while the runners-up got USD 20,000 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 scoring highest seven goals in the tournament.

Palestine’s 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.