Late goal seals dramatic win for Bangladesh over champions India

Bangladesh delivered a sensational performance to defeat India 4-3 in a dramatic encounter during the final group-stage match of the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship, scoring the winning goal in the last minute of injury time.

Although India had already secured the championship title before kickoff, the match at the BSSS Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka turned into a thrilling contest that ended in heartbreak for the visitors and jubilation for the home side.

Bangladesh got off to a flying start when Purnima Marma scored a powerful header in the very first minute. India responded quickly, equalizing in the 8th minute. However, Bangladesh regained the lead in the 36th minute through Alpi Akter, who capitalized on a scramble in the box to score, putting the hosts 2-1 ahead at halftime.

The second half began with more momentum from Bangladesh, as Suravi Akand Priti scored in the 47th minute to make it 3-1. But defensive errors allowed India back into the game. In the 65th minute, a long ball from India was mishandled by the Bangladeshi defense, leading to a goal. Another long-range effort in the 88th minute caught goalkeeper Meghla off her line, leveling the match at 3-3.

Just as it seemed the game would end in a draw, Priti stepped up once again. In the final minute of injury time, she drove into the Indian box and took a shot that slipped through the goalkeeper's hands, struck the side post, and rolled into the net. Seconds later, the referee blew the final whistle.

Priti, who scored two crucial goals, was named Player of the Match for her standout performance.

Despite the loss, India finished the tournament as champions with 15 points from six matches. Bangladesh ended in second place with 13 points. A draw against Bhutan earlier in the tournament proved costly for Bangladesh, as a win in that match could have brought them level with India, potentially setting up a title decider based on goal difference or head-to-head results.

The result left Indian players in tears as they left the pitch, despite having secured the title. For Bangladesh, the victory served as a morale-boosting conclusion to the tournament, marked by resilience and late-match heroics.