India and Bangladesh have been declared joint winners of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship following a large controversy on Thursday. After the groups have been tied at 11-11 within the penalty shoot-out, India have been declared winners by way of a coin toss however the determination was not accepted effectively by the gang or the Bangladesh workforce. Huge protests adopted each from the workforce in addition to the house crowd and after a while, the choice was taken to declare each India and Bangladesh joint winners. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time and after India have been declared winners, the gang expressed their displeasure by throwing bottles and different objects. The officers shortly escorted the Indian gamers out of the sphere and after round two hours of deliberation, the choice was taken to award the trophy to each the groups.

AIFF Acting Secretary General, M Satyanarayan mentioned: “India, despite being declared winners after the spin of the coin, decided to accept the officials’ request for sharing the trophy as the situation was simmering and a section of the home fans was found indulging in creating disturbances. Since the security of the players and other team officials is our utmost priority, the AIFF decided to agree to the request of the organisers.”

India led for almost all of the competition, using on Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam’s early aim earlier than Sagorika equalised for the hosts in damage time to take it into penalties. After a rare shoot-out which remained locked at 11-11 as each single participant on the pitch transformed their penalties, the referee carried out a coin toss to find out the winners.

While Bangladesh edged India in possession within the first half, it was the Young Tigresses who have been extra incisive going ahead. When Sulanjana Raul launched Neha into acres of area earlier than goalkeeper Swarna Rani Mandal swept the ball off her toes within the second minute, it was an indication of issues to return.

Understandably, the ultimate generated appreciable curiosity within the native soccer circle. With the prospect of Bangladesh profitable a back-to-back title looming giant, a giant crowd thronged the stadium lengthy earlier than the ultimate began.

They got here with drums and bugles, flags and banners. The festive temper of the partisan crowd, nevertheless, obtained a surprising blow when India took the lead off one other well-constructed transfer as captain Nitu Linda confirmed exemplary imaginative and prescient to launch Sibani behind the Bangladesh defence. The pacy winger was intelligent sufficient to dodge it the primary time over the onrushing Swarna. Sibani might have added one other simply minutes later, as her half-volley sailed inches above the crossbar.

India, nevertheless, didn’t defend the lead and conceded the equaliser effectively into the add-on time of the second half. Linda’s headed clearance fell onto the trail of Sagorika, who slotted it previous Anika, a carbon copy of her aim in opposition to India within the group stage at precisely the identical minute – 93rd.

Back to the remainder of the match, Raul was environment friendly in her function as a false 9, feeding Neha and Sibani on the overlaps again and again. Her sharp turns and fast toes usually left the hosts falling flat.

India defended compactly, leaving Bangladesh with no choice however to strive their luck from a distance. Sapna Rani first despatched a 25-yard shot excessive and huge earlier than hitting her second effort on the right track, which Anika Devi Sharubam collected with ease for her first save of the match.

For giant components of the second half, India regarded likelier to get a second aim than Bangladesh an equaliser. In the 54th minute, the Young Tigresses had an excellent probability as Sibani picked out Neha with a diagonal ball into the field. Neha tried to put it for Pooja, however Swarna swiftly gathered it earlier than she might get to the top of it.

Neha remained within the thick of issues for the rest of the match. A couple of minutes later, her cross from the left was headed huge by Raul. Corners have been Bangladesh’s sturdy level all through the match they usually did threaten from these. First, Surma Jannat headed over Sapna’s supply earlier than the latter struck the crossbar straight from her inswinging nook.

At the opposite finish, Neha additionally hit the bar within the 88th minute with a stinging left-footed strike from the sting of the field. That was India’s ultimate probability of sealing the deal in regulation time as a result of Bangladesh restored parity 5 minutes later.

Each certainly one of India’s beginning eleven gamers efficiently transformed their penalties within the shoot-out, together with goalkeeper Anika, who scored the eleventh and the ultimate one. Bangladesh have been equally scientific, however Anika would’ve felt luck was not on her facet as she jumped the suitable means for six of the 11 pictures however could not make a save.

(With ANI inputs)