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Bangladesh arrived at the Fatorda Stadium as two-time defending champions, but left as runners-up as their grip on South Asian women’s football was emphatically broken.
An Indian side that proved sharper, more clinical, and ultimately more composed under pressure claimed a 3-1 victory on Saturday, securing a record sixth SAFF Women’s Championship title and their first in a decade.
Played out in front of a bumper crowd that dwarfed the attendances of previous tournament fixtures, the final delivered on its high-stakes billing.
In the opening 45 minutes, Bangladesh fought eye-to-eye with the hosts, putting in a gritty performance that clearly demonstrated the champions had come to retain their crown. Head coach Peter James Butler made a statement of intent with two changes to his starting XI, bringing in Tohura Khatun,
top-scorer at the previous SAFF Championship, for her first start of the tournament, alongside Shamsunnahar Junior.
The early exchanges were highly encouraging for the visitors.
Ritu Porna Chakma was a constant menace down the left flank, delivering purposeful crosses into the box.
In the 12th minute, a well-worked move saw Ritu Porna cross for Shamsunnahar Junior, who narrowly failed to get a clean connection at the near post.
Moments later, Tohura had the Indian goalkeeper at her mercy, but a brilliant recovery track from Shilky Devi forced a weak shot that was ultimately turned behind.
Despite Bangladesh’s bright, front-footed start, it was India who broke the deadlock in the 38th minute.
Pyari Xaxa’s effort took a cruel deflection, looping agonisingly out of goalkeeper Mile Akter’s reach.
Yet, the champions responded with character.
Just before the interval, Anika fed Tohura, who unselfishly rolled the ball into the stride of Ritu Porna.
The dynamic winger drove into the box and slotted a high-quality finish into the bottom corner, ensuring the sides went into the break level at 1-1.
However, the second half painted a drastically different picture, as everything seemingly fell apart for the reigning champions.
Within moments of the restart, Bangladesh’s defensive shape dissolved.
A sweeping cross from the right found an unmarked Sanfida Nongrum at the far post, who made no mistake with a firm header to restore India’s lead and send the home crowd into raptures.
Bangladesh tried to mount a response, but the sudden chaotic nature of their second-half performance hindered their rhythm.
They came agonisingly close when Shamsunnahar Junior’s header off a Ritu Porna corner clipped the crossbar, and captain Maria Manda forced Panthoi Chanu into a sharp save.
But as Bangladesh desperately pushed higher up the pitch in search of an equaliser, dangerous gaps began to appear at the back.
The decisive, heart-breaking moment arrived in the 82nd minute.
Defender Afeida Khandaker, who had looked assured for much of the evening, inexplicably opted to clear the ball with a panicked, heavy touch rather than calmly dealing with the danger.
The attempted clearance deflected off Malavika and fell perfectly into the path of substitute Lynda Kom Serto, who gratefully side-footed home to make it 3-1 and effectively kill the tie.
It was a bitter conclusion for a Bangladesh side that showed enough quality to prove they belong at this elite regional level.
Ritu Porna was outstanding, and Tohura gave everything until her 72nd-minute withdrawal.
Ultimately, individual errors at critical moments—the unfortunate deflection for the opener and a calamitous defensive lapse for the third—proved to be the difference on a night when margins were exceptionally fine.
India are the queens of South Asia once more, whilst Bangladesh, for the first time in four years, return home empty-handed. Recommended Stories