Bangladesh, as expected, became champions in the SAFF U-16 Women’s Championship 2024 after beating India by 3(1)-2(1) goals in a nail-biting tie-breaker during their final match held at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur, Nepal on Sunday.
Bangladesh goalkeeper Yearzan Begum successfully denied three Indian booters – Alena Devi Sarangthem, Bonifilia Shullai, and Divyani Linda – during the tie-breaker while her teammates Mariam, Thuinuye Marma, and Shati converted the spot kick correctly to secure the victory.
Bangladesh’s Sauravi Akanda Prity was denied by Indian goalkeeper Surajmuni Kumari at the beginning of the tie-breaker while Alpi wasted her chance hitting the far post. Shveta Rani and Anwita Raghuraman scored one each for India.
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh got an early blow when India’s Anushka Kumari scored with a left-footed shot inside the box, off a long cross from Bonifilia in the 4th minute.
But the Bangladeshi girls made a good comeback when Mariam scored an equaliser, off a corner from Ananna Murmu Bithi in the 70th minute.
Meanwhile, Sauravi was adjudged the most venerable player of the tournament as she scored five goals and led her side to the final while Yearzan was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament due to her valiant performance.
Bangladesh maintained an all-win record to reach the final after beating Nepal, India, and Bhutan by 2-0, 3-1, and 7-0 goals in the single-leg round-robin league stage.
India’s Anushka Kumari was made the highest goal scorer as she scored six goals and Bhutan were awarded the fair play award.
Bangladesh clinched their first title in this age-level regional competition during the maiden edition of this competition in 2017.
Since then, the girls have failed to bag the title, finishing runners-up in the next four editions in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
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