Bangladesh one step away from final

Bangladesh Under-19 women’s national team are just one step away from reaching the final of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship after beating India by 1-0 at the Shaheed Sipahi Mostofa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur, Dhaka on Friday.

The only goal of the match came from Shamsunnahar Sr, who scored from the spot in the seventh minute.

Bangladesh now have seven points from three matches, after their 0-0 draw against Nepal and 6-0 thrashing of Bhutan. India have six points from three, whereas Nepal have four from two matches.

As Nepal and India will be facing each other in the final match of the group stage, Bangladesh will only need a draw from their last match against Sri Lanka, the weakest side of the tournament who have already conceded 16 goals in three matches.

Bangladesh got off to a great start on Friday as Kritina Devi fouled Tohura Khatun in the box in the sixth minute of the match. Defender Shamsunnahar made no mistake from the spot to take Bangladesh forward.

India, considered tournament favourites besides hosts Bangladesh, failed to assert their dominance, and so did Bangladesh.

In the 37th minute, Akhi Khatun’s free-kick also doubled Bangladesh’s lead, but India goalkeeper Anshika managed to parry it away for a corner.

Bangladesh had another opportunity in the 57th minute, but Nilufa Yasmin’s header was once again saved by the Indian goalkeeper.

India had their chances to get back in the game but failed to convert any of them to turn the result around. In the 63rd minute, India forward Sumati Kumari was one-on-one with Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma, who had left his goal and come forward. Sumati managed to beat Rupna, but her shot went wide.

In the 73rd minute, Sumati got another opportunity to draw India level but missed again as Bangladesh managed to hold their nerve and come out victorious.

Bangladesh will now take on Sri Lanka in their final match of the group stage on Sunday at the same venue.