India Book Their Place In Semis

The Indian U-19 Women’s team progressed to the final of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship 2021 after defeating Nepal 1-0 in their last group stage match today at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Priyanka Devi scored the match-winning goal in the 66th minute.

India Head Coach Alex Ambrose made two changes to his starting XI from their last game against Bangladesh – Nitu Linda and Lynda Kom coming in place of Kritina Devi and Santosh, respectively.

It was India, who seized control of the game but failed to capitalize on their chances. Captain Shilky Devi floated a ball from the left in the 19th minute, passed it to Sumati who missed an open chance to find the back of the net.

The goal for India finally came on the 66th minute, when Sumati Kumari entered the Nepal box from the left, and cut it back for Priyangka, whose shot brushed off a defender, before nestling into the back of the net.

Another great chance for India came when Sumati Kumari was played in behind the Nepal defense, and she tried to chip the opposition keeper on the bounce, but her effort went over the crossbar.

Alex Ambrose made another change on the 79th minute when Karen Estrocio replaced Mariyammal. In the remaining five minutes of the game, Kritina Devi also replaced Santhiya.

The final is set to take  place on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, with the match kicking off at 6.30 PM IST.