U15 girls brush India aside to top group
Dhaka, December 21: High-flying Bangladesh continued their winning streak in the SAFF U15 Women’s Championship 2017 with a 3-0 victory over India in the last match of the round robin league phase at the at Birshrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mohammad Mostofa Kamal Stadium in Kamlapur on Thursday.
With three consecutive wins, Bangladesh topped the table with nine points while India finished second with six points. Both the teams are scheduled to face-off in the final on December 24 at the same venue.
The match, considered as a warm-up for the final, was dominated by Bangladesh girls as India appeared to lose their rhythm under the constant pressure. Bangladesh could have won by a bigger margin if the chances that fell in their way were converted clinically.
Anuching, the hard-working forward, drew first blood giving the hosts the deserved lead in the 32nd minute. Monica Chakma curved the ball in from a corner kick from the right flag which fell at the top of six-yard box and Anuching calmly headed the ball home past Indian keeper Monika Devi (1-0).
Defender Shamsunnahar doubled the lead in the added time of the first half from the penalty spot after Indian defender Pakpi Devi fouled midfielder Shamsunnahar inside the danger zone. Shamsunnahar hit the back of the net with a confident drive (2-0).
Anuching went close to scoring on two occasions within five minutes into the second half but she even missed an open net after rushing past the Indian goalie. The continuous pressure on the Indian defence paid dividends as Monica Chakma scored the third goal in the 53rd minute. Dribbling her way into the right side of the penalty box with some superb footwork, Monica slammed a left footer past Indian keeper Monika Devi (3-0).
India tried to put some resistance after the change of ends but hardly troubled the stout Bangladesh defence comprising of Akhi Khatun, Shamsunnahar, Anai Mogini and Nazma. Indian attacking pair Priyanga Devi and Sunita Munda, who slammed hat-tricks against Nepal in the previous match, was off colour.
Bangladesh began their campaign with a 6-0 win over Nepal before beating Bhutan 3-0 in the second match. India beat Bhutan 3-0 and registered the biggest victory of the meet till date with a 10-0 thrashing of Nepal.
