Forward Rifat Kazi struck a treble as Bangladesh stormed into the semi-finals of the seven-team SAFF Under-17 Championship 2025, after a 4-0 win over hosts Sri Lanka in their Group A match at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.聽
With the win, Golam Rabbani Choton鈥檚 charges emerged three-team group champions with six points from two games. They beat Nepal 4-0 in their first match on September 18.聽
In the semi-final on September 25, Bangladesh will play the Group B runners-up either India or Pakistan, who are scheduled to play each other in four-team group top-place decider today.聽Midfielder Md Arif opened the account for Bangladesh in the 19th minute before Rifat (49th 63rd, 88th) added three more goals.聽