Ritu Porna shines bright even in defeat

Ritu Porna Chakma left her mark on the SAFF Women's Championship final even in defeat.

Bangladesh lost to India 3-1, but the forward was far from overshadowed.

She equalised in the first half after Bangladesh fell behind, and her brilliance throughout the tournament — including a breathtaking Olympic goal against Nepal in the semi-final — captured attention well beyond her own dressing room.

India head coach Crispin Chettri was generous in his admiration.

He called Ritu Porna a trailblazer for Bangladeshi women's football and said that she has grown into an inspiration for players across South Asia.

He also urged her to embrace that responsibility beyond the pitch, not just on it.

There is little time to reflect.

Ritu Porna is heading to Myanmar on 12 June to join Ayeyawady United on a three-month deal.

The club, only two years old, won their domestic league unbeaten last season and have previously recruited from Japan and the Philippines.

Previously, Ritu Porna scored twice against Myanmar in last year's Asian Cup qualifiers on their home turf, and that performance likely put her on Ayeyawady's radar.

For Bangladeshi women's football, it marks another step forward.