A 68-minute strike by former national midfielder Julfiqar Mahmud Mintu gave favourites Noakhali a 1-0 win over Rangamati in the Karnaphuli zone final at the Bandarban Stadium.

Noakhali, which had national stars Aminul, Arman and Alfaz in their roster, faced stiff resistance from the hill district but defied the 10,000-strong crowd at the hill tracts venue to go through.

Gaibandha, however, recorded a cakewalk victory in front of 15,000 home fans when they handed a 3-1 defeat on Thakurgaon in the Teesta zone final.

Ataur Rahman put the hosts ahead after 18 minutes at the Gaibandha Stadium while Parvez doubled the lead before the break. Rubel sealed the victory in the 71st minute while Thakurgaon's consolation goal came one minute from time with Rabbani reducing the arrears.

Noakhali and Gaibandha join qualifiers Dhaka, Dhaka University, Khulna, Magura, Comilla, Tangail, Jaipurhat, Bangladesh Navy and automatic qualifiers Sylhet and Narayanganj -- hosts and the defending champions respectively -- in the 12-team finals scheduled to begin in Sylhet from August 18.

The 70-team qualifying round began across the country on July 21 with the zonal champions from Education and Services zone, Shariatpur, Magura, Perojepur, Habiganj, Tangail, Jaipurhat, Gaibandha and Bandarban moving to the finals.