India 3-0 Bangladesh Highlights, SAFF Women’s Championship: Blue Tigresses Top Group With Big Win

Greetings, we are back with another live blog, it’s India vs Bangladesh. Stay tuned for live updates.

In India, the India vs Bangladesh match will be streamed live on the FanCode platform. It will also be available on the BFF TV YouTube channel.

Bangladesh: Mile Akter, Maria Manda, Shamsunnahar, Kohati Kisku, Momita Khatun, Anika Rania, Surovi Arfin, Ritu Porna, Shamsunnahar, Surma Jannat

We’re underway in Margao and India get us started from the centre. The early tempo is sharp, no time wasted to settle.

But there’s a bit of hesitation at the back straight away, Shilky Devi switches off for a split second and Bangladesh try to pounce on it. Panthoi Chanu is called into action almost immediately, tested early, kept alert from the very first move.

Bangladesh have come out with real intent here, full throttle from the first whistle. They know only a win keeps their hopes of topping the table alive, and it’s showing in every forward run.

They win an early free kick as well, putting India briefly under pressure, but Shilky Devi stands firm at the back and clears the danger without much fuss. Soumya then tries to push things down the left, but she’s dispossessed again, India just about holding shape while Bangladesh keep asking questions.

Blue Tigresses push forward with intent rather than sitting back, showing early ambition. That approach earns them the first corner of the match, with the referee also stepping in to issue a quick warning to Sanfida ahead of the set piece.

Nirmala Devi swings it in, but it’s undercooked and doesn’t really trouble the defence. Bangladesh deal with it comfortably, and the chance fizzles out as the ball goes out for a throw-in.

Pyari almost breaks the deadlock in the 26th minute with a clean header. The cross is inch-perfect, three Blue Tigresses are in the box, and she finds herself unmarked, but the effort sails off target.

Set-pieces just aren’t clicking for either side so far. Both teams have had openings, yet the execution in the final moment keeps letting them down.

A tussle between Sangita and Anika briefly gives Bangladesh a free kick, but captain Maria steps in and clears the danger wide to reset things.

Pyari puts India ahead in the 35th minute with a stunning curled finish into the far corner. She opens up her body perfectly and guides it past the keeper with precision, marking her 20th international goal. A big moment in a big game as the Blue Tigresses take a deserved 1-0 lead over Bangladesh.

A tight first half in Margao, but India go into the break ahead thanks to Pyari Xaxa’s clinical finish. Both sides had their moments, with Bangladesh testing India at times, but the Blue Tigresses created the better chances and made one count.

India lead 1-0, but there’s plenty left in this contest.

Early drama after the restart as Sangita Basfore goes into the book for a clumsy, mistimed challenge on Momita. A needless foul in a dangerous area, and Bangladesh will see this as a chance to turn up the pressure right after the break.

Bangladesh are fighting hard to get back into this.

Pyari Xaxa is withdrawn with Malavika coming on in her place, a fresh attacking spark up front. At the same time, Aveka Singh makes way for Lynda Kom Serto, adding new energy in the middle.

Bangladesh make a triple change as Butler looks for a spark. Sagorika comes on for Anika, Sheuki replaces Monika, and Umehila Marma takes the place of Shamsun Nahar. Fresh legs as they push for an equaliser.

India double their lead as substitute Lynda Kom Serto stays ice-cool from the spot after Sumra Jannat’s foul on Malavika. The 21-year-old steps up and buries it for her sixth international goal, giving the Blue Tigresses a commanding 2-0 advantage over Bangladesh.

A late change for India as Purnima is taken off. Meanwhile, the fourth official holds up her board to indicate a minimum of four minutes of added time. Just 18 seconds into the stoppage time, Malavika finds the back of the net, controlling a cross with her thigh before passing it into the back of the net.

The home crowd erupts in joy as the referee blows the full time whistle. It has been a thumping win for India, who could have scored many more than the three goals on board. Tonight’s result confirms India as the Group B winners, and they will face Bhutan in the semi-final, and Bangladesh will face Nepal. Both matches are on June 3.