Sauravi Akanda Prity scored in the stoppage time as Bangladesh wrapped up their SAFF U-17 Women鈥檚 Championship campaign in style with a thrilling 4-3 victory over newly crowned champions India in a dramatic encounter at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, on Sunday.
With their title hopes having already ended after a 1-1 draw against Bhutan and India having beaten Nepal 5-0 in the previous games, Bangladesh showed immense character to hand India their first defeat of the tournament, avenging their earlier 2-0 loss in the group stage.
Sunday鈥檚 result had no impact on the standings, as India had already sealed the championship with 15 points from six matches.
Bangladesh finished runners-up with 13 points from as many games. Still, the encounter turned into a classic filled with early drama, late goals, and a dramatic finish.
Bangladesh struck just 29 seconds after kick-off when Purnima Marma nodded in Mamoni Chakma鈥檚 cross 鈥� the fastest goal of the tournament.
But defensive lapses soon cost them, as Anushka Kumari equalised for India in the eighth minute.
Alpi Akter restored Bangladesh鈥檚 lead in the 34th minute, capitalising on the Indian goalkeeper鈥檚 error, before forward Sauravi Akanda Prity extended the advantage to 3-1 with a brilliant solo effort in the 49th minute.
It was Prity鈥檚 sixth goal of the competition, and she later added a seventh to claim the Player of the Match award.
India, however, refused to go down without a fight. Substitute Pritika Barman pulled one back in the 65th minute, and with just one minute remaining, Julan Nongmaithem unleashed a long-range strike to make it 3-3.
Just when it seemed Bangladesh would be denied a memorable win, fate intervened as Prity鈥檚 fierce shot slipped through the goalkeeper鈥檚 hands, hit the post, and deflected off a defender into the net.
The result left Indian players in tears despite clinching their maiden SAFF U-17 Women鈥檚 Championship title
Bangladesh team coach Mahbubur Rahaman Litu was happy for his charges giving their best efforts against India.
鈥業 am happy that our girls gave their best today [Sunday]鈥� We seriously needed it (win) after badly losing a crucial point against Bhutan in the last match,鈥� said Litu at the post-match press conference.
鈥極verall the girls played well. Actually, it was our learning curve for the forthcoming AFC [Asian Under-17 Women鈥檚 2026 Qualifiers] in October 2025. We will have time to prepare them well before the AFC tournament, Litu added.