New Delhi: The Bangladesh football team defeated India 1-0 in the finals of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship 2021 at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Sipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium, Dhaka, on Wednesday.
Indian player Nirmala Devi began the first half with a free-kick in the 2nd minute. Though the Bangladesh team displayed a stable defence, both teams failed to hold possession of the ball.
Bangladesh slowly gained momentum and created chances in the opponent’s box, while the Indian team failed to capitalize free kicks and adopted an ultra-defensive mode in the 31st minute. Indian keeper Anshika Malik kept saving shots from the attacking opponents.
Indians gave a long forward shot in the 46th minute, only to be saved by the Bangladesh goalkeeper. The first half ended without goals from either team.
Bangladesh led the second half with tactical and strong moves by Tohura Khatun. Tohura managed to save Priyangka Devi’s cross in the 50th minute. Shamsunnahar Sr. tried scoring in the 58th minute, but the ball went over the bar.
India constantly tried snatching the lead. The opponents stopped Nitu Linda’s clean cross in the 63rd minute. Bangladesh gained control of the ball in the 79th minute as Anai Mongini struck a cross in the 81st minute and netted a first for the team.
The Indian defence kept their opponents at bay before Malik misjudged the header at the 81st minute. The dramatic match and the second half ended with Bangladesh winning the SAFF 2021 title.
(Avya Mathur)