Margao: India secured their place in the final of the SAFF Women's Championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bhutan at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday. Sanfida Nongrum scored the decisive goal in the 58th minute to send the home team through after they missed out on the last editions of the tournament.
Semifinal Victory
In Saturday's final, India will face defending champions Bangladesh, who defeated Nepal 2-1 in the first semifinal. India, winners of the first five editions of the championship, had earlier beaten Bangladesh 3-0 in the group stage.
The five-time champions are ranked 69th in the world, nearly 92 places above Bhutan, but there was little difference on the pitch, although the hosts had the upper hand from the start.
Team Changes
India coach Crispin Chettri made two changes from the 3-0 win against Bangladesh in the last group game, handing starts to Priyangka Devi Naorem and local girl Karishma Shirvoikar. Manisha Kalyan, the team's high-profile winger who plays for Peruvian club Alianza Lima, was named on the bench after arriving from South America just over 30 hours earlier.
India had not conceded a goal in their two group games but came under early pressure as Bhutan won two successive corners. However, India soaked up the pressure and soon created an opportunity when Nirmala Devi's cross eluded rival goalkeeper Sangita Monger. Right-winger Karishma raced to make the most of the chance, but the ball went away from goal and she eventually lost possession.
First Half Struggles
India kept searching for the opener. Karishma once again charged towards goal and sent in a low cross inside the box, but Soumya Guguloth's feeble grounder did not trouble the rival keeper. Much was expected from striker Aveka Singh, who scored four goals in India's 11-0 win over Maldives in the opener, but the tournament's top scorer hardly had a shot on target.
Second Half Changes
Crispin made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, introducing Sangita Basfore, Malavika, and Manisha Kalyan, which gave India's attack more shape. The breakthrough came in the 58th minute when Sangita's fisted attempt to clear the ball did not travel far. Basfore won the aerial battle and headed the ball towards Sanfida, who showed composure to finish.
India maintained focus and did not allow Bhutan to equalize. In the final stages, Manisha should have at least had a shot on target after the rival keeper fisted away a cross by Sanfida, but her powerful right-footer sailed over the goal. India came close again as Astam Oraon's fierce effort narrowly missed the target.
Final Showdown
In Saturday's final, India will look to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2019, while Bangladesh will aim for a historic hat-trick of titles.
