The East African team Burundi, came from behind, crushed youthful Mauritius by 4-1 goals in their first Group B match.
Jospin netted the tournament’s first hat-trick scoring three goals while defender Ndikumana Asman netted the other goal for Burundi. Midfielder Adrien Francois scored the lone goal for Mauritius.
Youthful Mauritius took lead in the very 4th minute against their upper-ranked opponents. Midfielder Adrien Francois smartly netted the ball home with a tap-in shot from goal mouth melee, off a long pass of captain Pascal Balisson (1-0).
After conceding an early goal, Burundi created strong pressure over Mauritius with their attacking football. They took its fruit in the 28th minute when their forward Nshimirimana Jospin made the equalizer by a right-footer drive, utilizing an angular pass from forward Gasongo Benjamin (1-1).
The East African team tried hard to widen the margin but their forwards wasted three close chances in a span of four minutes.
Captain Tambwe Amissi failed to head the ball form goal mouth melee in the 32nd minute, a shot of Jospin missed the target in the 35th minute and finally midfielder Musaga Henry pushed the ball towards to the Mauritius goalkeeper Christopher Louis.
Defender Ndikumana Asman finally got the success in the 41st minute as their opponent goalkeeper Louis failed saved his left-footed direct free-kick (2-1).
After the half time, Mauritius forward Alex Ferre missed a golden chance to level margin in the 46th minute. But Jospin made no mistake to score his 2nd and the team’s 3rd goal in the 48th minute from a counter-attack. The forward sent the ball home with a right-footed shot inside from the box (3-1).
Jospin could complete his hat-trick in the 78th minute but his direct corner kick was deflected after hitting the far post. Just after seven minutes, the forward made the first hat-trick of the tournament sending the ball home directly with another right-footer drive, off a pass from captain Amissi in the 85th minute (4-1).
Later, Forward Nshimirimana Jospin of Burundi was cautioned with yellow card.
On Friday, Palestine will play Sri Lanka in their 2nd Group A match at the same time at the same venue. Palestine have already brightened their chances to reach the semis after beating hosts Bangladesh by 2-0 goals in the opening match last Wednesday.
Burundi: Ngabonziza Blanchard, Gasongo Benjamin, Tambwe Amissi (C), Musaga Henry (Mugisha Antoine), Ndikumana Asman, Nkurunziza Yannick, Masudi Narcisse, Nshimirimana Jospin, Ndizeye Fales (GK), Hitimana Hamza, Ndikumana Merci.
Mauritius: Pascal Balisson (C), Jordan Francosis, Mervin Aristide, Aureline Perle (Louis Tare), James Sophie, Luciel Jolicoeur, Jacques Patate (Boudeuse Princeley), Christopher Louis (GK), Adrien Louis, Adrien Francois, Alex Ferre (Botlaradrien), Antoine Jordan.
Referee: Md Mizanur Rahman (Bangladesh).