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Kathmandu, India tasted its first defeat at the SAFF Women’s Championship following a 3-0 shocking defeat at the hand of Bangladesh on Tuesday evening at Dasharath Stadium, Kathmandu. 

Bangladesh had the one-sided affair in the win over India. The result meant that Bangladesh advanced to the semi-final topping Group A. Bangladesh will meet Bhutan in the 

last four.

Bangladesh produced a hundred per cent result in the group stage and earned nine points from three victories.

India, who is on the quest for the sixth SAFF title in a row, will take on Nepal in the semifinals. India, with six points, was satisfied at the second spot in Group A. 

After being stunned by Bangladesh, Indian coach Suren Kumar Chhetri said that it was a bad day for his team. “We have played very badly today. Bangladeshi players are very energetic. They have the hunger to win the match.

“We made a few individual errors. There are lots of work to be done, We will work hard and come back strong against host Nepal in the semifinal,” Coach Chhetri said. 

“The semi-final will be very tough because Nepal is a football-loving nation so there will be a big crowd to support the home team.” 

Pakistan defeated the Maldives 7-0 to finish the SAFF journey with a consolation win. Pakistan’s win came after eight years of hiatus from international football. 

The win put Pakistan in third place and the Maldives finished at bottom of the group standings. Both Pakistan and the Maldives crashed out of the event.

Bangladesh scored two goals in the first half and added one in the second half. Shopna scored a brace while Sarkar netted one goal in a historical victory for the Bangladeshi Women’s team. 

India is the only team to win all five editions of the SAFF Women’s Championship. India has a record of 25 wins and one draw at the SAFF Championship. It was Bangladesh that held India to draw in a group match during the 2016 SAFF.

The defence of India was on full test today as Bangladesh began the onslaught from the start. 

Bangladesh found the net in the 8th minute but Referee denied it.

After four minutes, Shopna put Bangladesh ahead. Bangladesh continued with the domination over the regional powerhouse as Sarkar extended the tally to 2-0 in the 22nd minute. 

Shopna sealed the match for the winning side in the 53rd minute and Bangladesh sealed their group stage unbeaten.

Bangladeshi Coach Golam Robbani Choton said that they had been waiting for this day. “We have been working hard for four, five years. We played well against the Maldives and Sri Lanka. I was confident that if my girls perform to the same level we would beat holders India.”