SAFF U16 Women’s Championship: India go down to Bangladesh on penalties

India fell short of a title conquest, losing to Bangladesh 3-2 in the penalty shootout during the SAFF U16 Women’s Championship final in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Both the teams were tied at 1-1 after the regulation time.

India took an early lead, thanks to Anushka Kumari’s strike in the fourth minute. As Bonifilia Shullai played a long through ball, the striker ran wide of the defenders and executed a perfect shot into the far bottom corner.

In the 70th minute, the Bangladeshis equalised through an own goal by Shveta Rani. As Indian goalkeeper Munni tried to punch a corner away, it resulted in the ball bouncing off Shveta and Mariam Binta Hanna’s combination and into the goal.

Surajmuni Kumari, who was brought in as the substitute keeper, made a save during the shootout, but the opposing goalkeeper Begum was the star, handing Bangladesh the title. Anushka ended the competition as the top scorer, netting six goals.