Bangladesh SAFF Women’s U-19 champs

Bangladesh U-19 women’s national team beat India 1-0 in the final to claim the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship title at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mostofa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The only goal of the match came from Bangladesh right-back Anai Mogini when she struck from 40 yards to make the jampacked gallery roar.

Bangladesh, the defending champions of the SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship, portrayed a performance worthy of champions in the final as they did not allow India even a yard of space throughout the 90 minutes.

This victory meant Bangladesh have scored 20 goals in this tournament and conceded none, true domination from the young footballers.

In the final, Bangladesh never lost control after the first five minutes, and in that time, India never even got close to scoring.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, looked like they were one good move away from goal. Tohura Khatun almost scored with a neat finish in the 15th minute when Indian goalkeeper Anshika spilt the ball in the box, but it was cleared off the line by Nirmala Devi.

Shahada Akter, Bangladesh’s prolific right-winger, almost scored the opener with a cross turned shot in the 25th minute, but the ball came back after hitting the post, and there was nobody to cash in on the rebound.

After the goalless first half, Bangladesh came out with all guns blazing in the second, and Shamsunnahar Jr had a great opportunity in the 60th minute. A brilliant cross from Shahada saw Shamsunnahar head the ball, but it went just over. 15 minutes later, Bangladesh did put the ball in the net, but it was ruled out because of a foul on India goalkeeper Anshika.

The deadlock finally broke in the 80th minute. After receiving a pass from Shahada, Anai tried to whip the ball in from 40 yards out. But it bent and went towards the goal, where Anshika managed a touch but could not stop the ball from nestling in the net.

In the final minutes, India tried, but Bangladesh’s defence foiled their attacks in the bud and allowed Bangladesh to burst out in celebration once the final whistle was blown.