SAFF Cup Championship : Bangladesh U-19 snatch title from India

Dhaka: The Indian U-19 girls lost to host Bangladesh 1-0 in the final of SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium, Dhaka.
India created the opening chance in the 5th minute as Priyanka Devi received the throw-in and went for a cross. The ball failed to make any contact as it reached the gloves of goalkeeper Rupna’s hand. In the 16th minute, the host made their first chance as Maria played a long ball which was collected by Tohura Khatun but Indian goalie Anishka made equal efforts. Till half-time both the teams weren’t able to break the deadlock as a control for possession was going on.

In the second half, the charge came from India in the 64th minute as Lynda Kom tried to flick the ball following the cross from Amisha Baxla but the header was well gripped by Rupna. Attacking down the wing, host Bangladesh send in some fearful crosses for the visitors but the Indian defense stood strong thwarting the attacks one after the other with keeper Anshika on their side. The only goal of the match came in the 80th minute when Anai Mogini made it into the nets Anai Mogini with her long-range shot from the right.

Despite bringing two changes in the attacking front, India failed to create goal-scoring opportunities, and could not convert half chances. Coach Alex Ambrose made Poonam come in for Nitu Linda and Anuja for Amisha in the 89th minute but it failed to make an impact on the hosts’ defense.