Bangladesh have beaten India by 1-0, thanks to a wonderful strike of Anai Mogini in the final of SAFF U19 Women’s Championship 2021 at the turf of Birsreshtho Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium.
The two group toppers faced off each other in the final. Bangladesh made 4 changes to their starting line-up. India made 2. Both the teams started with a 4-4-2 formation.
Both teams started slowly and cautiously as neither could hold possession for a long period of time.
The first heated moment of the game came at the 14th minute. An aimless long ball of Maria Manda, which looked pretty easy to deal with, fell in front of the Indian goalkeeper.
But Anshika fumbled here. Tohura was quick to react and slid the ball goalwards. But astonishingly that was saved from on the line. The Bangladeshi players were furious at the referee's decision for not allowing the goal. Nevertheless, it was the right decision.
Bangladesh again came close to scoring in the 23rd minute. Anshika once again fumbled to deal with a cross of Anai Mogini from the right flank. The ball hit the sidebar and no one was there to capitalise on the rebound.
As the game progressed, Bangladesh became the more dominating side. The Indian defence had a really hard time tackling the Bangladeshi attacks. But Bangladesh lacked composure in the final third as the first half ended with a 0-0 score.
Bangladesh started the 2nd half even brighter. In the very first minute, Tohura hit the crossbar with a deadly shot. Although the referee blew the whistle for offside.
The jam-packed gallery kept cheering and roaring every time the host girls got the ball. On the 60th minute, a header of Shamsunnahar Jr went just over the goal post.
India had their first real chance in the opponent D-box on the 63rd minute from a header of Lynda Kom, but it didn’t bother the keeper that much.
The two best defensive sides of the tournament, who just conceded 1 goal combined, kept showcasing their defensive solidity.
Bangladesh kept pushing for a goal but got frustrated each time due to a lack of finishing prowess.
Bangladesh put the ball in the net after a jostling encounter in the d-box from Rituparna corner. But to their utter disappointment, the referee had already blown the whistle.
Finally, the moment came on the 80th minute. Anai Mogini, who kept galloping throughout the evening and dominated the right flank, attempted a cross that was on target.
Anshika, who had a horrible game, couldn’t judge the flight and missed it, but the ball ended up in the net. The jam-packed gallery burst into ecstasy with cheers for the tigresses.
Even after the goal, Bangladesh showed no intention of sitting back. They kept pushing for a 2nd goal and never let India put a foot in the game properly.
India tried their best to fashion something but the defence led by Akhi Khatun proved too heavy for them.
