India U-18 girls’ team emerged as champions of the SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship 2022 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on March 25. Despite losing the game 1-0 to Bangladesh, the team clinched the title on the account of having a superior goal difference of +11 as compared to Bangladesh’s +3.

Forward Lynda Kom bagged the player of the tournament as she was the highest goal scorer, bulging the net five times in total.

In what was the last match of the championship, Bangladesh nicked one past the net in the 76th minute of the game via Priyanka, who fired it in from outside the box.

The girls started off well, with the first goalscoring chance coming in the 5th minute through Shubhangi, who managed to jiggle out the defenders and took a shot which went directly into the hands of goalkeeper Rupna. 

India got a big chance in the 40th minute through Nitu, whose shot got past Rupna but unfortunately bounced off the post and fell right onto the hands of the Bangladesh custodian.

Bringing on fresh legs into the game, head coach Thomas Dennerby brought in Poonam in place of Shubhangi in the 46th minute.

Captain Shilky Devi glanced a long range shot in the 60th minute but Rupna was aware and got hold of the ball.