Ritu Porna strike not enough as India deny Bangladesh hat-trick of SAFF women's crown

Bangladesh briefly fought back through Ritu Porna, but India struck early in the second half and sealed a 3-1 win in Goa

Bangladesh have missed out on a third straight SAFF Women’s Championship title after losing 3-1 to hosts India in the final.

Ritu Porna briefly brought Bangladesh level in first-half stoppage time after Pyari Xaxa’s deflected opener at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday.

But India restored their lead within 48 seconds of the restart before reclaiming the title of South Asian women's football's premier competition for the first time since 2019.

The defeat ended Bangladesh’s bid to add to their 2022 and 2024 titles, while India reclaimed the regional crown for a record-extending sixth time.

In the 51st minute, Shamsunnahar Junior headed just over the goal from Ritu Porna’s corner. Four minutes later, Panthoi Chanu Elangbam blocked Maria Manda's shot from the left.

A little later, Anika Rania Siddiqui fell in the box after being tackled by the opponent and was replaced by Manika Chakma.

Bangladesh were nearly punished again in the 65th minute when Manisha Kalyan met Sanfida Nongrum’s pass inside the box, but the Peru-based forward sent her side-footed volley narrowly wide.

Tohura Khatun came on for Sagarika in the 72nd minute as Bangladesh searched for a way back.

But hopes of a comeback faded in the 82nd minute after a costly error by Afeida Khandaker, who had otherwise been one of Bangladesh’s better performers.

With several options to clear, Afeida struck the ball straight into Malavika P. It ricocheted into the path of Lynda Kom Serto, who finished calmly to score India’s third.

That left the Bengal Tigresses with a mountain to climb.

India nearly added another before the final whistle, but Kohati Kisku cleared a goal-bound effort with a header off the line to deny the world No 69 a wider margin of victory.