Bangladesh suffer 4-0 defeat to India in SAFF U-19 women’s final

Bangladesh’s title hopes in the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship ended in disappointment on Saturday as India outplayed them 4-0 in the final at Pokhara, Nepal, bringing an emphatic end to the Bangladeshi side’s previously flawless run in the tournament.

Dominating the tournament from the outset, Bangladesh stormed into the final without losing a single match. Butler’s side played attacking and confident football throughout the group stage, scoring 18 goals in three matches while keeping a perfect defensive record. However, when it mattered most, the final told a very different story, ending in disappointment for the Young Tigresses.

India approached the title decider with a disciplined and calculated game plan, pressing high and controlling possession from the opening minutes. Bangladesh struggled to find their usual rhythm and were repeatedly forced into defensive errors under sustained pressure.

The deadlock was broken in the 42nd minute when a lapse in Bangladesh’s defence allowed Indian captain Julan to find the net, giving India a 1-0 lead at the break.

The second half saw Bangladesh unravel further as India continued to dictate the tempo. In the 63rd minute, Elizabed Lakra doubled the lead from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Yearzan Begam failed to deal with a bouncing ball and Alva Devi went down in the box. Despite protests from Bangladesh, the referee stood by the decision.

Just five minutes later, a moment of misjudgment at the back proved costly again. Yearzan’s attempted clearance struck Pearl Fernandes, who reacted instantly to slot the ball into an empty net, making it 3-0.

India completed the rout in the 83rd minute through Anwita, who finished off a slick attacking move with composure beyond her years.

For Bangladesh, the final was a harsh reminder that dominance in earlier rounds does not guarantee silverware. After controlling the tournament from start to finish, they stumbled at the final hurdle—leaving Pokhara with heartbreak instead of the trophy they had hoped to lift.

NSA