India and Bangladesh have been declared joint winners of the SAFF U-19 Girls’s Championship following an enormous controversy on Thursday. After the groups have been tied at 11-11 within the penalty shoot-out, India have been declared winners through a coin toss however the resolution was not accepted properly by the gang or the Bangladesh group. Big protests adopted each from the group 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 Appearing Secretary Normal, M Satyanarayan mentioned: “India, regardless of being declared winners after the spin of the coin, determined to simply accept the officers’ request for sharing the trophy because the state of affairs was simmering and a piece of the house followers was discovered indulging in creating disturbances. Because the safety of the gamers and different group officers is our utmost precedence, the AIFF determined to conform to the request of the organisers.”

India led for almost all of the competition, driving on Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam’s early purpose earlier than Sagorika equalised for the hosts in harm 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.

Whereas Bangladesh edged India in possession within the first half, it was the Younger 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 ft 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 successful a back-to-back title looming massive, 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, nonetheless, acquired 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 may have added one other simply minutes later, as her half-volley sailed inches above the crossbar.

India, nonetheless, didn’t defend the lead and conceded the equaliser properly 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 purpose towards India within the group stage at precisely the identical minute – 93rd.

Again to the remainder of the match, Raul was environment friendly in her position as a false 9, feeding Neha and Sibani on the overlaps again and again. Her sharp turns and fast ft typically 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 broad earlier than hitting her second effort on course, which Anika Devi Sharubam collected with ease for her first save of the match.

For big elements of the second half, India appeared likelier to get a second purpose than Bangladesh an equaliser. Within the 54th minute, the Younger Tigresses had a wonderful likelihood 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 may 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 broad by Raul. Corners have been Bangladesh’s robust level all through the match and so they did threaten from these. First, Surma Jannat headed over Sapna’s supply earlier than the latter struck the crossbar instantly from her inswinging nook.

On the different 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 closing likelihood of sealing the deal in regulation time as a result of Bangladesh restored parity 5 minutes later.

Every one in every 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 medical, however Anika would’ve felt luck was not on her aspect as she jumped the correct method for six of the 11 pictures however could not make a save.

(With ANI inputs)