Bangladesh Ansar and VDP made good starts to the Independence Day Handball Tournament by winning men's and women's matches on the opening day at the Shaheed Captain Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium in the capital Wednesday. Abdur Rahman, former chairman of Rajuk and former vice-president of the Bangladesh Handball Federation, inaugurated the competition. In the men's group, Ansar and VDP beat Chattogram Zila Krira Sangstha 41-12 after leading the first half 26-7. In today's other men's match, Border Guard Bangladesh outplayed Ideal Handball Garden Chapainawabganj 43-10 goals after leading the first half 23-6. In the women's group, Ansar and VDP beat Tetulia Upazila KS 41-22 after dominating the first half 23-9. Bangladesh Police Handball Club defeated Handball Training Center Dhaka 24-7. Handball Training Center Dhaka beat Jamalpur Sports Academy 36-16. Six teams, divided into two groups, are participating in the men's and women's competitions.  Men's teams Group A: Border Guard Bangladesh, Team Handball Dhaka and Ideal Handball Garden Chapainawabganj Group B: Ansar and VDP, Police Handball Club, and Chattogram Zila Krira Sangstha Women's teams Group A: Ansar and VDP, Badalgachi Handball Association, and Tetulia Upazila KS Group B: Jamalpur Sports Academy, Police Handball Club, and Handball Training Center Dhaka

Iran finished top of Group H of the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers at the cost of Bangladesh at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mustafa Kamal Stadium in the capital's Kamalapur Sunday.  The deciding match ended in a goalless position in the first half.  Iranian forward Negin Zandi scored the winner in the 85th minute (1-0) after Bangladesh spoiled some good opportunities to score goals. Iran, the No. 68 team in the current FIFA ranking, topped Group H with an unbeaten run to qualify for the second round of the competition, securing six points from two straight matches. Bangladesh, ranked No. 140, were eliminated from the competition after finishing runners-up with three points from two matches. Iran just needed a draw to top their group after crushing Turkmenistan 7-1 in the opening match. Bangladesh beat Turkmenistan 4-0. This was the first defeat for Bangladesh against Iran in an age group football tournament following their 2-0 win against the Middle Eastern team in the AFC U-14 regional championship in Nepal in 2015. Bangladesh also beat Iran 3-0 in the AFC U-16 tournament in Dhaka in 2016 and 8-0 in a U-15 football tournament in Thailand in 2018. The second round of the tournament, with eight group champions, will be held during June 1-11. Four teams from the second round will earn the right to play in the eight-team final round in Uzbekistan during March 3-16 next year along with Japan, North Korea, South Korea and the hosts.

Magura beat hosts Rajshahi 2-1 Monday to reach the semifinal of the eight-team JFA-U-14 National Women's Football Championship 2021 as Group B champions. Ishita put the winners ahead in the second minute (1-0); Rima added another in the 44th minute (2-0) at Rajshahi's Shahid Muktijoddha Smriti Stadium. However, Shahida pulled one back for the hosts in the 46th minute (2-1). Despite their first defeat in the competition, Rajshahi finished as Group B runners-up and reached the semifinal with six points from three matches along with Magura, who earned nine points from three encounters. READ: Women's Football: Brahmanbaria become group champions outplaying Cox's Bazar 4-1 Magura, with an unbeaten record in the competition, will play against Group A runners-up Panchaharh in the second semifinal Tuesday at 4:30pm. Group A champions Brahmanbaria will face Rajshahi in the first semifinal on the same day at 2:30pm. In Monday's other match, Khulna beat Faridpur 3-2 at the same venue in the afternoon. Fatema, Selthia and Chamki scored one goal each for the winners; Swadhin netted two goals for Faridpur. READ: Bangladesh women's football team reach Nepal

National star-studded Bashundhara Kings clinched the Women's Football League 2020-21 title with a 100% unbeaten record, crushing Nasrin Sports Academy 16-0 in their last match Monday. The Kings, who secured the title in the previous match with an 18-0 victory over Jamalpur Kacharipara Akadash Saturday, earned 42 points from 14 encounters. National team striker Sabina Khatun netted a double hat-trick, Krishna Rani Sarkar scored four goals, and Swapna also struck a hat-trick for the Kings at the Kamalapur Stadium. READ: BPL Football: Ctg Abahani hand Bashundhara Kings first defeat Samsunnahar Junior, Sumaiya and Maria Manda netted one each for the champions. In Monday's other match, Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College SC finished league runners-up, beating FC Brahmanbaria 8-2 at the same venue. Shaheda Akhter Ripa and Halima Akhter struck two goals each while Marzia, Anuching Mogini, Anika Tanjum and Nasrin Akhter netted one each for the winners. Kakoli Akter and Ela Moni Akter scored one each for FC Brahmanbaria. In the day's other match, Jamalpur Kacharipara Akadadh defeated Suddopuskorini Jubo SC 5-0 at the same venue. Bipasha Mali and Lipi Akhter scored two goals each while Ratna netted another for Jamalpur. After the match, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Vice-President Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan Manik handed the champions' trophy and a cheque of Tk3 lakh to the Kings. Mahfuza Akhter Kiron, BFF member and chairman of BFF Women's Football Committee, distributed the runners-up trophy and a cheque of Tk2 lakh to Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan College. READ: BPL Football: Mohammedan thump Uttar Baridhara 4-1 The Kings' Krishna Rani Sarkar was named the highest goal scorer of the league for her 28 goals while Shohagi of the runners-up team was adjudged the best player.