ZCZC
BSP-14
FOOTBALL-SAFF-INDIA
Indian women win SAFF Championship title
DHAKA, March 22, 2019 (BSS)- The Indian women’s soccer team retained title
of the SAFF Women’s Championship for the fifth time in a row with a 3-1 goals
victory over their Nepalese counterpart in the final held on Friday at the
Sahid Rangashala Stadium in Biratnagar, Nepal.
In the day’s final, Dalima Chhibber opened the scoring for India in the
first half, with Dangmei Grace and Anju Tamang finding the net in the second
half after Sabitra Bhandari got the equaliser for Nepal in the first half.
The win extended India’s unbeaten run in the tournament’s history to 23
games.
Nepal started on the front foot, seeing most of the ball in the opening
minutes much to the delight of the packed stands. Nepal almost took the lead
in the 10th minute when it put the ball in the back of the net but the goal
was flagged offside.
The opening goal came against the run of play in the 26th minute. Dangmei
Grace won a free-kick after she was fouled about 40 yards from the goal.
Dalima took the set piece and opened the scoring with a thumping strike that
sailed into the left top corner.
Nepal found the equaliser in the 33rd minute when Sabitra Bhandari
capitalised on a long ball and headed it from close range past Aditi Chauhan.
It was the first goal India conceded in the tournament.
Aditi pulled off a good save from a one-on-one with Sabitra to make sure
the teams were on level terms at the break.
India started the second half on a strong note, employing a high-press game
and not giving the Nepal players time on the ball.
India regained the lead in the 63rd minute through Grace. Sanju released
Grace with a through ball and the 23-year-old turned the Nepal keeper,
skipped away and slotted the ball home.
Indumathi Kathiresan headed the ball into the path of substitute Anju
Tamang in the 78th minute, who held off a weak challenge to score India’s
third goal and seal the victory.
BSS/SG/SSS/1834 hrs