Laos announced their credentials as one of the contenders for the title of the Bangamata U-19 Women’s International Gold Cup with a 6-0 thrashing of Tajikistan in the last match of Group A at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The win helped the Southeast Asian nation emerge group champions and set up a semifinal clash against Group B runners-up Kyrgyzstan tomorrow, while Bangladesh, the champions of Group B, will take on group A runners-up Mongolia on Tuesday.
On the back of a 5-0 victory against Mongolia, the Laotians got off to a brisk start when their most inspirational forward Pe opened the scoring with a fine side-footed finish in the fourth minute.
Anouta Chanthithong got the second goal in the 25th minute, thanks to a dreadful mistake from the Tajikistan goalkeeper before Pe made it 3-0 in the 37th minute with her second goal of the game and fourth in two matches by beating the Tajikistan goalkeeper from the spot.
Pe then turned provider in the 75th minute as her cross was volleyed home expertly by centre-back Saysamone Inthaphone, who wrapped up a consummate performance for Laos with two more goals in the 89th and 92nd minute of the match.
