Bangladesh secured the SAFF Under-16 Women’s Championship 2024 title after beating India 3-2 in tiebreaker in the exciting final held at ANFA Complex in Kathmandu Sunday.
The score was tied at 1-1 following normal time after Mariam Binta Hanna cancelled out Anushka Kumari’s early lead in the second half.
There was no extra time according to tournament bylaws.
Goalkeeper Yearzan Begum stole the show in the shootout with three brilliant saves after Bangladesh’s top scorer of the tournament Sauravi Akanda Prity saw her attempt thwarted by substitute Indian keeper Surajmoni Kumari.
Mariam, Thuinuye Marma and Sathi Munda converted Bangladesh’s chances in the penalty shootout while Alpi Akter missed the target but Yearzan’s heroics guided her side to victory.
“Feeling really happy after playing my first international tournament and being adjudged the best goalkeeper,” said an elated Yearzan.
Bangladesh head coach Saiful Bari Titu expressed delight following the triumph and praised his charges after a lack of preparation leading upto the competition.
“The joy is different especially on foreign soil. The time was too short to prepare the team for this tournament. In this aspect, what the girls did is excellent. They deserve all the credit,” said the bespectacled tactician.
Mahbubur Rahman Litu, assistant coach, said: “We came here with only a month’s preparation but the girls played really well to become champions.”
Earlier, Titu kept the playing XI unchanged from the three group fixtures where they defeated the same opponent 3-1 to book the final ticket with a game in hand.
Anushka put India ahead with only four minutes into the clock as she collected a lob before beating Yearzan with a left footed finish into the far post.
Bangladesh went close to grabbing the equalizer from a Fatema Akter corner just before the break as the Indian netminder fisted away two consecutive attempts.
Mariam made it all square in the 70th minute from a goalmouth scramble following a corner from substitute midfielder Ananna Murmu Bithi.
Prity, adjudged best player of the tournament with five goals, was one short of becoming the overall top scorer but nevertheless happy with the team's success.
“No regret for not becoming the highest scorer because we needed the trophy and won it. We worked hard and this is the output,” said Prity.
Bangladesh earlier kicked off the four-nation competition with a 2-0 win over hosts Nepal before beating India (3-1) and Bhutan (6-0) in the following matches to emerge group winner.
