Bangladesh dream of defending title in SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship final

Bangladesh are looking to retain the SAFF Under-15 Women’s Championship title by defeating old opponents India much like they did in the first edition in Bhutan.

The two teams will lock horns for the trophy in the final at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu at 7pm on Saturday.

Bangladesh beat India 1-0 in the final at home last year after defeating the visitors 3-0 in the first round.  

This year, Bangladesh handed newcomers Pakistan a humiliating 14-0 drubbing while India thrashed Sri Lanka, who are also new in the tournament, 12-0 in the first round.

Bangladesh are yet to concede a goal in the tournament this year while India let one in before going past Nepal in the semifinals.

Coach Golam Rabbani Chhoton hopes the girls will defend the title by playing their natural game.

“We want to play our natural game in the final after seven months of preparations and group rounds and semi-finals. We will play our best in the match. That’s what our target was when we entered the tournament,” he said.

Goalkeeper Mahmuda Akter, who did not have to do much in the previous games, said they are more confident than ever before after defeating hosts Bhutan 5-0 in the semis. She is confident of keeping a clean sheet in the final match as well.

“I am very happy for the big victory over Bhutan in the semifinals. We are more serious to defend the title now by giving our best. I will defend the post as I did in the last three matches,” Mahmuda said.     

Tahura Khatun, who has scored in all three matches, is also sanguine about taking her rich vein of form in the final.

“I want to score as early as possible in the final, which I had done in the previous matches of the tournament,” she said.

Captain Maria Manda plans to put the opponents under pressure right from the beginning and start scoring at the earliest.

“India are a good team and they have some experienced players. But our target is to win the final and the trophy one more time for Bangladesh,” she said.

Vice-Captain Ankhi Khatun agreed. “Our target and dream is to win the final and bring the trophy home as defending champions,” she said.  

India Coach Firmin D’Souja also has respect for Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh are the toughest team to face in the SAFF Championship and although we respect them, we will be going for the win and try to score an early goal to secure our position in the match."