Women's SAFF Final: Bangladesh Loses Crown to India
- India 3, Bangladesh 1
Collected Photo
Bangladesh entered the final dreaming of a hat-trick of titles. However, the fear they had ultimately came true. The dream ended for Ritu Porna and her teammates as they lost 3-1 to hosts India. India, who had failed to reach the last two SAFF finals, regained South Asian supremacy after seven long years.
In Saturday's final at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, Bangladesh looked shaky from the very beginning of their campaign for a hat-trick. They struggled even in their win against the Maldives. In the final group match, they surrendered to India, losing 3-0. As group runners-up, they faced Nepal, their opponent in the last two finals. Despite a shaky start in that match, goals from Ritu Porna Chakma and Sagarika secured a 2-1 win and a place in the final. India defeated Bhutan 1-0 in the other semifinal.
The final offered a chance to avenge the group-stage loss. Bangladesh played a disciplined first half in Peter Butler's 4-4-2 formation. However, the two forwards, Tahura Khatun and Shamsunnahar Jr., disappointed by missing several chances. Against the run of play, India took the lead in the 42nd minute through a counter-attack goal by Pyari Xaxa.
That lead lasted only about five minutes. In stoppage time, Ritu Porna, who had scored an Olympic goal in the semifinal, coolly placed the ball with her right foot into the far post from Tahura's pass. The halftime whistle blew immediately after.
Bangladesh conceded immediately after returning from the break. In the 46th minute, Shamsunnahar Sr. could not stop Pyari Xaxa. Xaxa charged up the right flank and sent in a cross. Sani Fida's header brushed past Mili's gloves, hit the side bar, and went into the net, putting Bangladesh behind again.
Bangladesh failed to mount the desperate fight needed to get back into the match. Fatigue had set in. In the 82nd minute, Bangladesh fell further behind due to a mistake by Afeida Khandaker. The center-back failed to clear the ball properly from inside the box. Her clearance fell to substitute forward Linda Kom, who tapped it in to secure the title's return.
