Resilient Rupna and Co hold off India

Despite the game ending in a nil-nil stalemate, hosts Bangladesh and defending champions India played out a hotly contested affair in their second fixture of the SAFF U-20 Women's Championship in Kamalapur yesterday.

Earlier in the day, a hattrick from Amisha Karki ensured a convincing 4-0 victory for Nepal against bottom dwellers Bhutan at the same venue.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Bangladesh now sit at a comfortable second position in the four-team table behind India and ahead of Nepal. The result means the hosts can afford to draw in the next and final round-robin league match against Bhutan tomorrow and still qualify for the final.

The game at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium was a fast-paced one from the onset. The girls in red and greed were keen on pressing high on India's half and both sides attempted to win every loose ball across the pitch.

However, the first opportunity -- the best of the half -- fell on India's lap in the seventh minute when Sumati Kumari found herself through on goal from the left. She had only the keeper to beat from inside the box but Rupna Chakma brilliantly denied Sumati's shot on target with outstretched legs, reminiscent of Argentina's Emiliano Martinez's last-gasp save in Qatar World Cup final.

The Bangladesh No.1 stayed busy throughout the first half -- grabbed on to several aerial balls, broke down counters in a sweeper role, and also got hurt during a collision near the end of the half. Meanwhile, the defending champions stamped their authority, especially with their captain Martina Thokchom pulling the strings from midfield.

India had another chance to break the deadlock with an open header in the 20th minute but the nearest India forward failed to connect. On the other hand, it took 26 minutes for Bangladesh to strike their first shot on target. Sapna Rani left-footed drive, albeit a weak one, from outside the edge of the box had the India goalkeeper fumble it to a corner, following which a flick shot went over the post.

Unlike India, the charges of Golam Rabbani Choton lacked conviction and composure in possession and they only appeared threatening when Shaheda Akter Ripa attempted to find space with her quick feet and then linked up with captain Shamsunnahar on the right flank.  

The second half saw India introduce a string of substitutes in time while Bangladesh kept their eleven unchanged up until in the last quarter of the game. The two sides had kept their tail up to assert control post-interval.

The match ended in a goalless draw after Nepal thrashed Bhutan 4-0 in the day’s first match. PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED/BFF

India had a sniff at goal in the 62nd minute when substitute Neha's side-volley from inside the box went over the bar after Sunita broke through from the right flank and crossed.

Couple of minutes later, Bangladesh had their best chance to score when Shamsunnahar, following good movement outside the box involving Ripa, was one-on-one with the goalkeeper but her accuracy from close-range was not up to the mark as the shot was deflected off India's goalkeeper, Anshika. 

The game did not produce any late drama as the defence of both teams nipped threats in the bud.