SAFF Women's Championship | India win 3-1 to clinch fifth straight title
The Indian eves maintained their clinical record in the tournament as they defeated hosts Nepal 3-1 to lift the SAFF Women's Championship for the fifth straight time. For India, the scorers were Dalima Chhibber, Grace Dangmei and substitute Anju Tamang at the Sahid Rangashala Stadium.
India extended their unbeaten streak in the tournament to an astonishing 23 games with the win on Friday. However, Nepal had ensured that they were not going to make it easy for the defending champions as was evident in the strong start both the teams exhibited. India looked to take their chances through Dangmei from the right wing and were successful in limiting Nepal to some long distance shots, one of which saw Manjali Kumar testing India goalie Aditi Chauhan in the 14th minute.
Against Bangladesh in the semis, India had opened the scoring through Chhibber and the right-back extended her form into the final as well to hand India the lead in the 26th minute. It was from a free-kick 30-yard out that saw Chhibber smash the ball past the keeper with a powerful drive. India could have compounded on Nepal’s misery six minutes later but Ratanbala Devi tried a shot from distance as the Nepal goalie saved it easily. And the missed chances eventually cost India in the 34th minute, when Sabitra
India had looked the more dangerous side going into the break and they started the second half on a similar note with Sanju and Ratanbala seeing their shots whiz past the bar. And their pressure eventually paid off in the 63rd minute as when Sanju’s through saw Grace breaking through to slot in a cool finish to restore the lead for India.Â
India’s
