Indian Head Coach, Sukla Dutta on the eve of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship final against host Bangladesh had expressed her desire to end her country's dismal record in this age group tourney and has forecasted that the team that scores first would be the most likely winner. 

Her words of prophecy nearly came through as her team rode on Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam's early first half goal that beat the onrushing rival custodian Swarna Rani Mandal to lead for majority of the regulation time against the feisty home side, amidst jeers from the large numbers of fanatic local fans who had thronged the BSSSMK Stadium in Dhaka.

Pacy forward Neha who was in thick of action throughout the course of the match including as early as the second minute of the first half where her attempt was nullified in nick of time by Swarna. She later had a golden chance to extend the solitary goal lead in the 88th minute of the match and ensure her Coach dream came true against the defending champions. Her stinging left-footed strike from the edge of the box however rattled the bar, much to the relief of the home side.

As luck would have it Bangladesh soon equalized in the five minutes later as the match extended into injury time though. It was Indian captain Nitu Linda’s headed clearance that fell in the path of on rushing Mosammat Sagorika who slotted the ball home for an equaliser in what was a replica of her goal in the previous league engagement between the two sides earlier.

Inseparable after the stipulated period, the match progressed to a dramatic penalty shootout, where in both the sides were tied 11-11, after every single player on the artificial turf converted their penalties. The referee in a bid to determine the winners, performed a coin toss that went in favour of the Young Tigress. The decision in the face of protest by the home team however triggered mayhem among the spectators, who resorted to throwing stones and bottles on the pitch much to the dismay of the Indian side who had to be escorted to safety by the security personnel.

The decision was later revoked, after more than two hours of waiting before the tournament organisers decided to declare both the finalist joint winners.

This is India's fourth age-group title in women's SAFF competition history, and the first on Bangladeshi soil.

The AIFF Acting Secretary General, M Satyanarayan in a statement post the award ceremony said, "India, despite being declared winners after the spin of the coin, decided to accept the officials' request for sharing the trophy as the situation was simmering and a section of the home fans was found indulging in creating disturbances. Since the security of the players and other team officials is our utmost priority, the AIFF decided to agree to the request of the organisers."

India U19: Anika Devi Sharubam (GK), Sonibia Devi Irom, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam, Viksit Bara, Pooja, Lalita Boypai, Sulanjana Raul, Nitu Linda (C), Neha, Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam, Heena Khatun.

Result (Final): India 1 (Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam 8') drew with Bangladesh 1 (Sagorika 90+3'). (HT 1-0, Penalties 11-11)