Bangladesh team finished the league phase on high in the SAFF Under-15 Women’s Football Championship when they blanked their Indian counterparts by 3-0 yesterday at the Brishreshta Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the capital.

As both the Bangladesh and India have already confirmed their final clash, the last match of the league phase turned into dress-rehearsal of the final of December 24 and also a battle to gain some prestige while all credits went to the host team when they played with full dominance throughout 90 minutes encounter to win.

However, Bangladeshi girls, who were onset with good pace right from the kick off and control the possession, looked intent on proving their authority over the giants of SAFF region made a convincing move.

But the visitors India put the hosts in early difficulty with a couple corners inside two minutes and then getting rid of the early trouble took over the domination and opened the scoring chance on 11th minute.

Shamsunnahar was about to open the scoring but her attempt closely went out the side post.

Bangladesh though played pressing football but took half an hour to take lead and Anuching Marma led with a gentle header on a Monika Chakma corner closely from the goal-line on 32nd minute (1-0).

Inspired by taking the lead, Bangladesh team became more aggressive to increase the margin and three minutes later Anuching lost the golden opportunity when after receiving a ball in the open space entered the box and dodged past the goalkeeper but her shot missed the open net.

Defender Shamsunnahar doubled the lead in the dying minute of the first half converting a penalty when an Indian defender pushed Bangladesh midfielder Shamsunnahar Jr inside the box (2-0).

Monika Chakma, who adjudged the best player of the match, scored the third goal in style when she beat the Indian defenders with her super sprint after controlling a through pass from Shamsunnahar Jr and finally placed the ball into far post giving no chance the goalkeeper on 54th (3-0).

Rest of the time the hosts girls giving some missing trial otherwise they could win the match by big margin.

In the post match reaction Monika said, “I always tried to play my usual game and did not get nervous whoever in front of me. We won the match playing better football.”

Bangladesh coach Golam Rabbani Choton said, “We will play in this style with pressing football. Thanks to girls for winning the match, Indian team have good background of women football, they tried their best and also played well.”

Indian coach Maymol Rocky gave some credits to Bangladesh team, said, “It was a fighting match, Bangladesh played well. I am happy with the girls’ performance, what the girls did it was well.”  

Replying to a query Maymol said, “My team is favourtes in the final, definitely we will see in the final.