Online Desk: Bangladesh U-16 Women’s Football team smartly reached the final of the four-nation SAFF U-16 Women’s Championship’2024 with one match to spare, outplaying arch- rivals India by 3-1 goals in the second match at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Tuesday afternoon.

Bangladesh will play the final on Sunday (March 10) at 3:15 pm Bangladesh time against the winners of India and Nepal, who will meet each other on Thursday (March 7) at 3:15 pm Bangladesh time.

They dominated the first half with a 1-0 goal.

Alpi Akter, Sauravi Akhand Prity, and captain Arpita Biswas scored one goal each for Bangladesh, while Anushka Kumari netted the consolation goal for India.

Bangladesh started an attacking football from the very beginning of the match and earned the deserving lead after dominating over their giant neighbour India.

Alpi Akter opened the Bangladesh account in the 10th minute with a casual shot outside the danger zone that kissed the net, slipping from the Indian custodian (1-0).

In the second half, India reorganised themselves, created strong pressure over Bangladesh, and took its fruit immediately, making it the equaliser.

Anushka Kumari, who scored twice in their 7-0 goal victory over Bhutan in the tournament opener, levelled the margin for India in the 54th minute by an angular shot (1-1).

Sauravi Akhand Prity, who scored both goals for Bangladesh’s 2-0 victory over Nepal, put Bangladesh ahead in the 80th minute by a straight ground shot after beating two opponents in the danger zone (2-1).

Captain Arpita Biswas sealed the fate of the match by scoring the third goal for Bangladesh in the 89th minute from a goalmouth melee (3-1).

In the remaining league match, Bangladesh will meet lowly Bhutan on March 8 at the same time and venue, the result of which will not hammer their final berth.

Earlier, Bangladesh made a good start, beating hosts Nepal by 2-0 goals, both scored by Sauravi Akhand Prity, last Saturday, while India made a flying start, crushing Bhutan by 7-0 goals in the tournament opener on Friday afternoon.

Hosts Nepal tasted their first victory in their second match, outplaying all-losers Bhutan by 3-0 on Monday afternoon.

After the day’s match, Bangladesh dominated the four-nation meet to reach the final with an all-win record, securing a full six points from two straight matches.

India and hosts Nepal followed Bangladesh, securing three points each after playing two matches, and will battle with each other on Thursday for the remaining final spot.

All-losers Bhutan were already eliminated from the meet without any point despite playing two matches.