Forward Tohura Khatun scored a brace as defending champions Bangladesh beat India 3-1 to reach the semi-finals of the SAFF Women鈥檚 Championship 2024 as Group A champions at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday.
Bangladesh will now face Group B runners-up in the first semi-final on October 27, while Group A runners-up India will take on Group B champions in the second semi-final on the same day.聽
All four goals came in the first half, with defender Afeida Khandaker opening the account for Bangladesh in the 18th minute before Tohura hit the net in the 29th and 42nd minutes.聽
Captain Bala Devi pulled one goal back for India in the 43rd minute. 聽
Afeida gave Bangladesh the lead with a clever chip from inside the box after India goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu half-cleared a corner from Sabina Khatun.
Tohura doubled Bangladesh鈥檚 lead, shoving the ball home following a cross from Rituporna Chakma. 聽She doubled her tally with a brilliant curling shot from outside the box after being teed up by Shamsunnahar Jr.
Bela headed home the ball to make it 3-1 for India in the very next minute after Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma let Dalima Chhibber鈥檚 cross slip through her fingers.聽
Bangladesh finished group champions with four points from two games after they played out a 1-1 draw against Pakistan in their first match while India ended as the group runners-up with three points following their 5-2 win over Pakistan in the tournament opener.聽
The semifinalists of the four-team Group B will be decided after today鈥檚 matches between Bhutan and the already eliminated Maldives and the other match between hosts Nepal and Sri Lanka.