The inaugural SAFF Futsal Championship for both men and women is currently underway in Bangkok, Thailand. After a thrilling 4-4 draw against India in the men’s division yesterday, Bangladesh’s women’s team made a commanding statement on Thursday (15 January) by defeating India 3-1 at the Huamark Indoor Stadium, marking a spectacular start to the tournament.
Bangladesh’s captain, Sabina Khatun, was the standout performer of the match, scoring two crucial goals to put her team firmly in control. The first half saw Bangladesh dominate proceedings, with Sabina finding the net twice to establish a 2-0 lead by halftime.
Despite India’s relentless attempts to mount a comeback in the second half, Bangladesh’s defence remained solid. Goalkeeper Jhilick produced several crucial saves to deny India’s attackers and maintain the team’s advantage. Bangladesh extended their lead when Sumaiya Matsushima capitalised on a swift counter-attack to score the third goal, making it 3-0. India managed to score a consolation goal later in the match, but it was insufficient to alter the outcome.
The match statistics are summarised below:
| Team | Goal Scorers | Goals | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Sabina Khatun | 2 | Won |
| Sumaiya Matsushima | 1 | ||
| India | Unspecified | 1 | Lost |
This victory is particularly significant as it comes seven years after Bangladesh last participated in international futsal. In 2018, the team competed in the Asian Futsal qualifiers, also held in Thailand, but opportunities on the international stage have been limited since then. This win therefore marks a major milestone for the team, signalling their return to competitive international futsal.
Following the match, Bangladesh coach praised the players’ discipline and team cohesion, stating, “Sabina’s leadership, combined with our team’s tactical coordination, was key to today’s victory. We hope to maintain this level of performance in the upcoming matches and aim for the championship.”
With this commanding performance, Bangladesh’s women’s futsal team has set a strong precedent for the tournament. Their attacking style, combined with solid defensive organisation, demonstrates that they are a formidable contender. Upcoming matches will be crucial for the team to build on this momentum, and Sabina, along with teammates like Sumaiya and Jhilick, will be central to sustaining their winning form.