SAFF C’Ship: India huff and puff past Bhutan in semis

Margao: India sealed their place in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship with a hard-earned 1-0 victory against Bhutan at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday.

Sanfida Nongrum (58’) scored the decisive goal to take India to the final after missing out on the last editions. In Saturday’s final, the home team will take on defending champions Bangladesh, who defeated Nepal 2-1 in the first semifinal.

India, who won the first five editions of the championship, won 3-0 against Bangladesh in the group stage.

The five-time champions are ranked 69, almost 92 places above Bhutan, but there was hardly any difference to show on the pitch, even as the hosts enjoyed the upper hand from the start.

India coach Crispin Chettri made two changes from their 3-0 win against Bangladesh in the last group game, handing starts to Priyangka Devi Naorem and local girl Karishma Shirvoikar.

Manisha Kalyan, the team’s high-profile winger who plies her trade with Peruvian club Alianza Lima, was named on the bench after her arrival from South America a little over 30 hours earlier.

India had not concede a goal in the two group games, but were under early threat after Bhutan won two successive corners. However, India soaked in the pressure and soon created an opportunity when Nirmala Devi’s cross eluded rival goalkeeper Sangita Monger. Right-winger Karishma raced to make the most of the given opportunity, but the ball travelled away from goal and she eventually lost possession.

India kept hunting for the opener. Karishma once again charged towards goal and sent in a low cross inside the box, but Soumya Guguloth’s feeble grounder didn’t trouble the rival keeper.

Much was expected from striker Aveka Singh, who scored four goals in India’s opener against Maldives in the 11-0 win. But the tournament's top scorer hardly had a shot on target.

Crispin made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, introducing Sangita Basfore, Malavika and Manisha Kalyan, and India’s attack looked to take shape.

India broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Sangita’s fisted attempt to clear the ball didn’t travel too far away. Basfore won the aerial battle and headed towards Sanfida, who showed composure with her finish.

India maintained focus and did not allow Bhutan to equalise. In the final stages, Manisha should have at least had a shot on target after the rival keeper fisted away a cross by Sanfida. But her powerful right-footer sailed over the goal.

India came close again as Astam Oraon’s fierce effort missed the target narrowly.

In Saturday’s final, India will look to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2019, while Bangladesh will aim for a historic hat-trick of titles.