Bangladesh reached the SAFF Championship semi-finals in 14 years after beating Bhutan 3-1 coming from one goal down in their Group B third and final match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, India, on Wednesday.
Bhutan's forward Tsenda Dorji gave his side the lead in the 12th minute, but goals from forwards Sheikh Morsalin and Rakib Hossain alongside Bhutan conceding an own goal - all inside the first half- helped Bangladesh reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2009.
Bangladesh placed group runners-up to book the last spot in the semi-finals and will play the Group A champions and FIFA World Cup 1982 playing side Kuwait in the semis at the same venue on July 1.
And on the same date, the Group B champions Lebanon will face hosts and Group A runners-up and eight-time champions of this tournament India in the second semi-finals.
As Lebanon beat the Maldives 0-1 in the day's first match to top the table, Spanish coach Javier Cabrera's charges needed a draw against Bhutan to secure the tournament's remaining spot in the semi-finals.
Bangladesh, who set their target of reaching the semi-finals even before starting their campaign in the 14th edition tournament, earlier defeated Maldives 3-1 after an 0-2 loss to Lebanon in their first game.
In the day's play, Tsenda gave Bhutan the lead in the 12th minute before Bangladesh returned to the game in the 21st minute as Morsalin scored the equaliser by his favourite long-range shot from outside of the box.
It was Morsalin's second international goal in his third appearance - made debut against Cambodia on May 15 - for Bangladesh as the 17-year-old forward opened his account by scoring the third goal for the 3-1 win against Maldives in their second game of the SAFF Championship 2023 on Sunday.
Bangladesh got the lead 10 minutes later as Bhutan's defender Phuntsho Jigme put into his own net when he was trying to clear Rakib's effort.
Rakib extended the winning margin with his solo efforts in the 36th minute while the restart saw goalless fry between the two sides.
The eight-team tournament final will be held at the same venue on July 4.
