The opening of the match between Bangladesh and India was cautious. Nevertheless, as time advanced, India attempted to take control of the match by making incursions into the midfield.

However, the vigilance of Afifa and Jahanara in Bangladesh's defense was apparent. While the first half favoured India, the second half tilted towards Bangladesh.

Both sides made repeated efforts to score goals, creating a sense that someone would eventually break the deadlock. The decisive moment arrived when Afifa Khandakar received a long ball, entered the box, and calmly placed it into the net, securing a 1-0 victory for Bangladesh.

With this triumph, Bangladesh secures a place in the final of the Under-19 SAF Cup. Despite the setback, India still has an opportunity to reach the final by defeating Nepal in the upcoming match. Nepal, having beaten Bhutan 1-0 in yesterday's match, also remains in contention.

In the previous round, Bhutan had the opportunity to advance to the final but lost 1-0 to Bangladesh. This marked Bangladesh's first chance in Kamalapur. Afifa's long-range free-kick hit the crossbar. Soon after, India capitalised on the opportunity missed by Bangladesh's defense. However, India's midfielder Puja Ball cleared the ball with a slide before goalkeeper Swarna Rani could react.

During the second half, Saiful Bari's students played with enthusiasm. Sagarika and Puja Das became aggressive in their attack, applying pressure on India's players. Despite three consecutive attempts, Bangladesh couldn't convert in their attacking phase. Then, Munni Akhtar's shot advanced and brought the desired goal for India in the final moments of the match, resulting in a draw.

Nevertheless, Sagarika, who scored a crucial equalizer in the previous match, once again delivered the desired goal in the dying moments today."

BDST: 2146 HRS, FEB 04, 2024
MSK