Bangladesh finish runners-up in SAFF U-19 Women’s Champ

Agency :

Bangladesh U-19 Women’s Football team’s dream of extending their dominance in the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship ended in disappointment as India produced a clinical display to secure a 4-0 victory in the final at the Pokhara Rangasala Stadium in Nepal on Saturday. By virtue of yesterday’s defeat, Bangladesh women finished runners-up in the meet.
Coming into the final, Peter Butler’s charges were heavy favourites. The five-time champions had already beaten India 2-0 in the round-robin stage and arrived with a flawless record-three wins, 18 goals scored and none conceded. However, the final told a very different story, as India outplayed Bangladesh in all departments to lift the title in emphatic fashion.
India took control midway through the first half. In the 42nd minute, Pritika Barman split the Bangladesh defence with a clever pass inside the box, setting up Julan Nongmaithem, who calmly finished following a well-delivered cross from the left to give India a deserved lead at the break.
Bangladesh struggled to respond after halftime and their problems deepened in the 61st minute when defender Protima Munda tripped Alva Devi inside the penalty area. With the ball moving away from danger, the challenge proved costly, and Elizabed Lakra converted the resulting spot-kick with confidence to double India’s advantage.
Just seven minutes later, India capitalised on a rare but decisive error from the Bangladesh goalkeeper. Under pressure, Yearzan Begum failed to clear her lines, allowing Pearl Fernandez to pounce on the loose ball and score India’s third, effectively ending the contest.
Bangladesh failed to create clear chances and looked short of ideas against India’s organised defence. The rout was completed late in the game when Anvita Raghuraman struck in the 83rd minute to seal a comprehensive victory.