Ritu dedicates goal to late brother

Bangladesh national Women’s football team handed Pakistan a 6-0 thrashing in their second match of the Women’s SAFF Championship 2022 at Dasharat Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal on Saturday.

After going 5-0 up, Bangladesh seemed to have saved their best goal for last.

Midfielder Rituporna Chakma came on as a substitute in the second half and scored a terrific long-ranging goal from 35 yards with her left foot. She received the ball well outside the box and had no second thoughts when she drove a left-footed shot that sailed into the top corner.

Ritu, 19, celebrated the goal by clasping her hands in prayer as she looked to the heavens. The midfielder from Rangamati revealed later that she had dedicated the goal to her late brother, who died in a tragic accident, where he was electrocuted in his own home in June.

“I thought that if I got the chance to come on today, I would want to score a goal and dedicate it to my brother; I thought about it before the match and that is what happened,” she said on Sunday.

Bangladesh, who were pitted in Group A, have already confirmed a place in the semis along with India. The two teams will now meet on Tuesday in their group-stage clash which will determine the group champions and runners-up.

Ritu said that Bangladesh came into the tournament with aiming to reach the final.

“We came here with the target of reaching the final and we are preparing accordingly. If we can keep up our performances then we can come away with a win against India,” she said.