SAFF: India end Bangladesh’s unbeaten streak with 3-0 win

Margao: All good things must come to an end.

Bangladesh have been the most dominant team in South Asia, winning the SAFF Women’s Championship for two editions in a row. They’ve been unbeaten in the regional competition for 10 games, across four years. That run ended at the hands of, who else, but India.

Having already qualified for the semifinals, this was only a clash to decide the group topper. But as India and Bangladesh went toe-to-toe, the home team had the last laugh in a commanding 3-0 win at Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday.

Pyari Xaxa opened India’s account in the 36th minute, while substitutes Lynda Kom Serto and Malavika made it a satisfying night for coach Crispin Chettri and his team with two second-half goals.

India will now face Bhutan in the semifinal while Bangladesh have to navigate a tricky clash against higher-ranked Nepal on Wednesday.

“We were good in patches, didn’t really dominate the match completely,” coach Crispin said after the win. “We have to be strong throughout 90 minutes. We did convert our chances, which was really good to see. But I think Bangladesh played their part.

Crispin has a point. Regardless of the scoreline, the clash between the two South Asian heavyweights who, among them, have won all seven editions so far, was an absorbing one. At stake was not just the group top spot but also a psychological advantage, should they, as expected, lock horns again in the final.

Crispin didn’t leave anything to chance and brought in all the rested regulars, starting with Panthoi Chanu in goal. There were five other changes with captain Grace Dangmei being rested.

India had a narrow escape when the match was just a minute old. Shilky Devi made a rare error at the back, her wrong pass falling at the feet of Anika Rania Siddiqui. Bangladesh’s Europe-based forward was all alone with the goalkeeper but shot straight into the hands of goalkeeper Chanu.

Neither Shilky nor any of her teammates put a foot wrong for the rest of the match.

Most of the action, though, was at the Bangladesh end. There were chances; Aveka Singh’s attempt lacked pace and precision when facing the opponent’s goal inside the box, Sanfida Nongrum’s hastily-taken shot went wide and Pyari failed to direct her header on target.

Then, Pyari herself broke the deadlock. It came quite unexpectedly. A long ball from Shilky resulted in a mistimed header by Bangladesh defender Kohati Kisku. The ball fell kindly for Pyari, and the experienced forward brought joy to the home crowd with a calm and composed finish.

Needing a win to top the group, Bangladesh coach Peter Butler made a triple substitution at the 65th minute mark, introducing Umehla Marma, Shaheda Akter Ripa and Mosammat Sagorika to get a foothold in the game. A minute later, Crispin made two changes of his own, bringing in Lynda and Malavika.

Lynda almost made an immediate impact after replacing Aveka but her attempt was blocked by the keeper. The two substitutes, though, added their names to the scoresheet.

Malavika won a penalty after being brought down by Surma Jannat and Lynda made no mistake from the spot with the resultant penalty. Then, in the first minute of added time, Malavika had a goal of her own as she controlled a superb cross from Sangita Basfore and calmly placed it into the net.

It was, by all accounts, a performance worthy of a side that is now overwhelming favourite to win the crown.