The regional round of the women's football tournament in Dhaka witnessed a display of dominance by the late Farhad Hossain Talukdar Football Academy from Tangail. In a one-sided final held at the Daffodil International University grounds in Savar, the academy secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Monalisa Women's Sports Academy, thereby confirming their spot in the upcoming final round of the competition.
The success of the Farhad Hossain Academy was largely driven by the presence of five SAFF-winning stars, including Krishna Rani Sarkar, Masura Parvin, Nilufa Yasmin, Marjia, and Sathi Biswas. This blend of experience and tactical maturity proved too much for the younger squad of Monalisa Academy. While notable stars like Sabina Khatun and Matsushima Sumaiya were absent during this regional phase, there is strong speculation that they may join the squad for the final round scheduled for October 27 and 28.
From the opening whistle, the Farhad Hossain Academy dictated the tempo of the game. They established a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime, effectively sealing the fate of the match. In the second half, they continued to press forward, adding a fourth goal to their tally. The final goal was scored by former national team forward Marjia, whose exceptional performance earned her the Player of the Match award. Under the guidance of coach Golam Raihan, the team displayed a level of cohesion that marks them as serious contenders for the tournament title.
It is worth noting that the academy was established in memory of the father of Golam Rabbani, the coach of Bangladesh's historic first SAFF-winning women's team. The path to the final was not without its challenges; in the semifinals, the team had to work hard to secure a narrow 1-0 victory against the Nandail Upazila Women's Football Academy from Mymensingh. However, they managed to overcome that hurdle and showcased their true potential in the final.
As the regional phase concludes, the focus now shifts to the final round. The performance of the Farhad Hossain Academy serves as a testament to the growing professionalism in grassroots women's football in the country. Fans and analysts alike are now looking forward to seeing how this team performs against other regional winners in the final showdown.
