SAFF Women’s Championship: Defeated Bangladesh 3-1, India became champion again after 7 years

Indian Women’s Team SAFF Women’s Championship: After a wait of seven years, the Indian women’s football team again won the SAFF Women’s Championship title. In the final match played at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, India defeated defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 and captured the trophy for a record sixth time.

India got the lead in the 42nd minute

Pyari Jaxa gave India the lead in the 42nd minute, but Ritu Porna Chakma equalized the score in stoppage time of the first half. Just 40 seconds after the start of the second half, Sanfida Nongrum scored for the ‘Blue Tigres’ Gave the lead again. After this, substitute player Linda Com Sarto sealed the victory by scoring a goal in the 82nd minute and India won the trophy for a record sixth time.

India got a chance in the 16th minute

Manisha Kalyan made her way into the starting line-up for the first time in the tournament. Sanfida Nongrum was the first to pose a threat; He tried from a difficult angle, but his shot went over the bar. India came closest to scoring in the 16th minute when Bangladesh goalkeeper Mile Akhtar failed to handle a long ball from Nirmala Devi Fanjoubam. The ball came to Astam Oraon, but the defenders could not send it on target.

However, Bangladesh team remained dangerous. In the 23rd minute, Ritu Porna Chakma almost repeated the feat of the semi-final against Nepal; He headed the ball straight towards goal from a corner, which went just over the crossbar.

Team India got success before half-time

Crispin Chhetri’s team continued to progress. Aveka Singh’s header from Nirmala’s cross went wide. In the 38th minute, Mile Akhtar brilliantly stopped Manisha Kalyan’s tremendous half-volley. India finally got the breakthrough three minutes before half-time. Pyari Jaxa showed agility and shot inside the penalty area. Surovi Akhtar tried to stop that shot, but the ball deflected and went over the advancing Mile Akhtar and into the net.

This goal seemed to give India the lead before half-time, but Bangladesh responded immediately. In first-half stoppage time, Ritu Porna Chakma found space on the left and fired a low shot into the corner, beyond the reach of Panthoi Chanu Ilangbam. This was the first goal by any team against India in this tournament and with this both the teams went into half-time tied at 1-1.

Just seconds after the game restarted, Pyari assisted on the goal. On his cross from the right, Sanfida Nongrum jumped high without any hindrance and gave India the lead again with a powerful header against the post.

This goal changed the course of the match. India looked more composed and confident, while Bangladesh were struggling to establish the same attacking rhythm as before. India continued to create chances and came close to extending their lead through Manisha; Manisha’s volley went wide after a brilliant run and pass from Sanfida. India took advantage of the opportunity and scored their third goal in the 82nd minute. Due to a defensive mistake, substitute player Linda Com Certo got a chance to score inside the box. He reacted quickly and dodged Mile Akhtar and put the ball into the goal, making the score 3-1. This goal almost decided the outcome of the match and it was confirmed that there would be no major upset now.

Also read: India became the king of Asia by defeating Japan at home, Under-18 hockey team won gold.

As soon as the final whistle blew, the Indian team and their supporters erupted in joy as the significance of this victory was clearly visible in the Indian camp. Sanfida Nongrum, who played a key role throughout the tournament, went down on her knees and hugged her teammate Dangmei Grace, who announced her retirement after the match. All around her the players and staff were celebrating as India returned to the top of South Asian women’s football for the first time since 2019. Indian women’s football legend Grace represented the country 95 times since her debut in 2013 and ended her international career on a high note by winning her third SAFF title. The win was the culmination of a brilliant campaign for the hosts, who won all four of their matches. During this period, scored 18 goals and conceded only one goal.

Aveka Singh was the top scorer of the tournament with four goals. Sanfida Nongrum was named ‘Most Valuable Player’ was selected, while Panthoi Chanu Elangbam was named ‘Best Goalkeeper’ Received the award. Nepal has declared ‘fair play’ Won the award.

With IANS inputs