Valiant Rupna’s error costs Bangladesh

Defending champions Bangladesh suffered a 1-0 defeat against India in their second match of the SAFF U-18 Women's Championship at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Saturday night.

Nitu Linda's strike on the 63rd minute following a fumble by Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma helped India to edge the tie, which the hosts dominated and had hit the woodwork twice.

Rupna, also the goalkeeper of the senior side, had kept her team in the match with a few valiant saves until she failed to gather a regulation cross from Ritu Devi, after which Linda slammed home from close range. 

Bangladesh, who had started their campaign with a convincing 4-2 win against Nepal, had two notable chances: Shamsunnahar's weak header in front of goal on 26 minutes before Sapna Rani's long-range freekick which rattled the crossbar on 72 minutes.

The girls in red and green will play their next match against Nepal, who had lost 7-0 against India, on March 23 before meeting India again on March 25. 

The top team at the end of two rounds of matches will be declared champions of the three-nation affair.