SAFF U-16 Championship
Bangladesh became the champion after defeating India in a tiebreaker.
Sports Desk
Sunday March 10, 2024 05:28 PM Last Updated: Monday March 11, 2024 02:48 AM
Bangladesh often writes the story of heartbreak even from the front against India. However, the girls have written the opposite story in the final of the SAFF U-16 Women’s Championship. After falling behind at the beginning of the first half, the team turned around in the second half and eventually won the match in a tiebreaker. Bangladesh regained the title after defeating India.
Bangladesh U-16 team defeated India 3-2 in the tiebreaker in the final of SAFF U-16 Women’s Championship in Kathmandu, Nepal on Sunday afternoon. The match ended in a 1-1 draw at the scheduled time. Earlier, the girls won this title in 2017.
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With this victory, Bangladesh became the undefeated champion in the U-16 Women’s Championship. They won 3-1 against India in the round robin stage.
Goalkeeper Yarjan Begum became the hero of Bangladesh in the final on this day. The keeper saved three Indian attempts to decide the fate of the tiebreaker. However, the two best players of the team – Sourvi Akanda Preeti and Alpi Akhter – could not score goals for Bangladesh. But the red-green representatives returned with the victory in the end with the determination of Yarjan.
Surbhi Akand Preeti who took the first shot of the tiebreaker missed. His shot was blocked by India’s substitute goalkeeper. The Indian coach changed the goalkeeper a minute before the end of the match. However, Bangladesh’s goalkeeper Yarjan saved India’s second and third shots consecutively. India equalized in the fourth shot. Sathi Munda put Bangladesh ahead with the fifth shot. India had to score in the last shot to survive. However, Bangladesh won the title by 3-2 as the goalkeeper of Bangladesh saved the last shot.
Bangladesh fell behind in the fourth minute of the match. Anushka Kumari gave India the lead with a brilliant goal. Desperate to turn around, Bangladesh succeeded in the 71st minute. Bangladesh returned to the match with Maryam Binte Hanna header.
This victory is a great joy and satisfaction for Bangladesh and coach Saiful Bari Titu. Because they had to share the trophy with the neighboring country in the U-19 level final in Dhaka a few months ago. That match also went to penalties, but neither team found a winner after 11 shots each. After some controversy the trophy was shared.
