Sports Reporter :
Highly motivated Bangladesh National Women’s Football team will face India National Women’s Football team in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship at Siliguri in India today. The gala final kicks-off at 6.30 pm (BST).
Bangladesh stormed into the final crushing Group-A runners-up Maldives by six goals to nil in the second semi-final at the same venue on January 2.
After the taking the spot in the final, Head Coach of Bangladesh National Women’s team Golam Rabbani Choton said, “I am very happy on my team for winning the match and reached the final. We fulfilled our target.”
Sirat Jahan Shopna, who hit hat-trick in the semi-final said, “I am very proud for winning the match and qualify in the final for the first time in the history of Bangladesh women’s football.”
She said, ” I hope we shall perform well in the final and we shall try to clinch the title of the SAFF Women’s Championship.”
Earlier, Bangladesh emerged as the Group-B champions bagging four points from two matches, while India became runners-up of the Group-B. Though Bangladesh and India earned four points each but by virtue of better goal difference Bangladesh emerged as the Group-B champions.
Bangladesh made a flying start in their Group-B campaign thrashing Afghanistan by 6 goals to nil in their first match at the same venue on December 29.
Later, Bangladesh made a goalless draw with favourites India at the same venue on December 31.
On the other hand, India reached the final defeating Group-A champions Nepal by 3-1 goals in the first semi-final at the same venue on January 2.
India had a good start in their Group-B campaign as they overpowered Afghanistan by 5-1 goals at the same venue on December 27.