Bangladesh beat Maldives 4-2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Thursday and booked a place in the SAFF Women’s Championship semi-finals. Anika Rania Siddiqui scored after only 11 seconds before Sauravi Akanda Prity and Kohati Kisku sealed the win late in the second half.
Bangladesh now face hosts India on Sunday in a match that will decide the Group B winners. India crushed Maldives 11-0 in their opening match, so Bangladesh must win to finish top on goal difference.
Coach Peter Butler missed injured defender Sheuli Azim and midfielder Monika Chakma. Midfielder Momita Akter and defender Suravi Akter Arfin made their debuts.
Bangladesh attacked from the first whistle. Rituparna Chakma drove a low cross into the box and Anika swept the ball home. Rituparna almost created another goal in the third minute when her corner hit the far post.
Bangladesh kept the pressure high. Shamsunnahar Jr. missed one chance in the 12th minute before smashing another effort against the crossbar in the 28th. Umehla Marma finally doubled the lead in the 34th minute after meeting a strong cross from Shamsunnahar.
Maldives changed the momentum before the break. Mariyam Noora punished goalkeeper Mili Akter after Bangladesh lost shape at the back in the 41st minute.
The equaliser arrived five minutes into the second half. Defender Afeida Khandaker made a costly mistake and Aminath Fazla drove Maldives level at 2-2.
Butler reacted quickly. He withdrew Umehla and Anika and introduced Shaheda Akter Ripa and Tohura Khatun. Bangladesh regained control through wide attacks and quick deliveries into the box.
The third goal arrived in the 64th minute. Maldives goalkeeper Fathimath slipped while handling another dangerous Rituparna cross and Prity fired into the net from close range.
Kohati Kisku wrapped up the win in added time with a header from Rituparna’s free-kick.
A small group of six Russian tourists added to the noise inside a sparse Goa stadium. The visitors shouted “Bangladesh, Bangladesh” throughout the match after building friendships with the players during their stay at the same hotel.
