India women defeat Bangladesh to seal SAFF U-15 championship

India women defeat Bangladesh to seal SAFF U-15 championship

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India beat Bangladesh 5-3 on a penalty shoot-out to win the SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship after the final ended goal-less in the regulation time at the Changlimithang Stadium, Bhutan on Tuesday. Both keepers were on the top of their game as they kept denying the attackers to keep to score nil-nil.

India made a strong start to the game as it looked to take the early initiative. Priyanka Sujeesh was pulling the strings from the middle of the park this time out while Amisha Baxla, who scored against Bangladesh in the league match, looked lively from the right flank.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, looked to play defensive and hit India on the counter. It almost succeeded when forward Sapna Rani was played through on goal with only goalkeeper Adrija Sarkhel to beat. However, the Indian goalkeeper was aware of the danger and rushed out of her line to avert it.

Amisha Baxla and Lynda Kom Serto combined to create a couple of chances but they could not break the deadlock as the Bangladesh keeper foiled them.

India also had a penalty shout turned down by the referee, after a cross from the right appeared to have struck a Bangladesh hand. Bangladesh looked to attack more in the second half, as its midfield worked hard to close down the India attackers.

India head coach Alex Ambrose soon substituted Amisha to bring on Sunita Munda who immediately had a chance as she was put through on goal by Priyanka. However, Bangladesh keeper Rupna Chakma stood firm and intercepted the Indian chance. Sunita looked lively down the right for India for the remainder of the match but it ended with the two teams goal-less.

Goalkeeper Adrija Sarkhel stepped up in the dreaded penalties to save Bangladesh’s first spot-kick while India scored all of their penalties with skipper Shilky Devi slotting home the final spot-kick to hand her side a 5-3 win.

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