India rally to beat Bangladesh 2-1

Riding high after two back to back wins against Jordan and UAE, the hosts were brought down to earth by India forward Roja Devi who scored a brace either side of halftime to guide India to their first win of the tournament. For Bangladesh, Sanjida scored the game’s first goal. In the 63rd minute, Bangladesh full back Masura was sent off for a high challenge inside the box.

The victory saw India open their account with three points from two matches while Bangladesh remained on six from three matches. India next play wooden spooners UAE on Tuesday.

Coach Maymol Rocky made one change to the team that lost to Iran, Bengal girl Sushmita Bardhan replacing the injured Daya Devi up front while it was an unchanged XI for the hosts. 

It all started in the 20th minute when Krishna Rani – after being released by Sanjida – went down under a challenge from Anline Fernandes, with the referee pointing towards the spot right away. Sanjida steeped up and tucked the ball away neatly into the bottom left corner of India goalkeeper Shreya Hooda.

Nine minutes later, from almost similar circumstances Masura hacked down Sushmita Bardhan from behind after the striker – playing her first game in place of injured Daya Devi – was teed up by Premi Chiru.

From the resultant spot kick, Roja smashed home on the left of Bangladesh keeper Ayesha’s goal.

Either side of the two goals, both the teams had few chances. Premi came the closest to breaking the deadlock with the match just nine minutes old but she dragged her freekick from 25 yards inches wide.

Bangladesh’s Bipasha and Sanjida exchanged passes before setting up Krishna who was just offside.

Roja and Kashmina forced good saves from Ayesha before the break, while at the other end Sanjida threatened to double her tally.

Action switched gears at the hour mark. Masura raised her right foot a tad too high on Premi for referee Katherine Margaret to give the full back marching orders despite remonstrations from the hosts.

Premi’s ensuing free kick from 20 yards curled into Ayesha who could only just keep it out as far as a lurking Roja who did well to tap in the gift first time on the half volley and into the roof of the net.

It was all India thereafter as Ayesha saved well from Roja’s close range jab and then moments later tipped over one from substitute Daya Devi. Kashmina also missed narrowly from close with the match into added time.

India: Shreya Hooda; Jabamani Tudu, Thahenbi Devi Maharabam, Amrita Kumari (C), Anline Fernandes; Srijana Tamang, Nisha, Kashmina, Premi Chiru; Roja Devi, Sushmita Bardhan (Anushka  Samuel – 84th).

Image: AIFF media