The Indian women’s football team was soundly defeated by Bangladesh at the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championships Group A fixture, at the Dasharath Rangsala, in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
The Blue Tigresses lost 1-3, courtesy of goals from defender Afeida and a brace from Tohura Khatun. For India, Bala Devi was the lone scorer, her goal turning out to be a consolation goal in the end.
With this win, Bangladesh advances into the semifinals as the topper of Group A, and India will go into the semis as the runner-up.
Right from kickoff, Bangladesh were relentless, pressing intently to win the ball back once they lost it, and were also much more potent in their attack, especially down their left flank, led by fullback Ritu Chakma.
Soon enough, Bangladesh opened the scoring from a corner, a half-shot half-cross from Afeida looped into the back of the net, and just minutes later, a brilliant cross from Ritu was tapped in by Tohura Khatun to make it 2-0.
To make matters worse for India, Bangladesh made it 3-0, thanks to a brilliant strike from Khatun from outside the box.
Bala Devi gave India a lifeline as soon as Bangladesh went 3-0 up, capitalizing on an error from Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma, and made it 1-3.
In the second half, Bangladesh settled into a mid-block and expertly saw out the game, with their goalkeeper Rupna Chakma pulling off multiple saves to keep the scoreline at 3-1.
In the end, Bangladesh end up as 3-1 winners, taking all the points from this must-win game for them.
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