Rajshahi Stars edge Farashganj to strengthen title hopes

Rajshahi Stars took a major step towards the title of Women’s Football League after defeating Farashganj Sporting Club 1-0 in a crucial match at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Saturday.

The closely contested encounter between the two strongest sides was widely regarded as an unofficial final, with the winner expected to gain a decisive advantage in the title race.

Rajshahi secured victory through a 39th-minute goal from Alpi Akter, who finished clinically from inside the penalty area after Farashganj goalkeeper Yearzan Begum had passed the ball straight to the opposition striker. The lone goal proved sufficient to earn all three points.

With the win, Rajshahi strengthened their position at the top of the table with 21 points from seven matches, maintaining a perfect record. Bangladesh Army sit second on 21 points from eight matches, while Farashganj, who had won their first six matches, are third with 18 points from seven outings.

Rajshahi have three matches remaining in the 10-team league, against Siraj Smriti Sangsad, Sadyapushkarini and Bangladesh Army. Farashganj will face BKSP, Bangladesh Police and Ansar and VDP.

In two of the four other matches on the day, Siraj Smriti Sangsad thrashed defending champions Nasrin Sports Academy 5-0, while Bangladesh Army recorded a 9-0 win over Sadyapushkarini.