BHUBANESWAR 16-Sep-2012 518
India retained the title in the SAFF Women’s Football Championship when they fought back from a goal down to beat Nepal 3-1 in the final at Colombo today. The defending champions suffered an early jolt as Dipa Adhikari gave Nepal the lead in the third minute. This was the first and only goal India conceded in the championship.
But they hit back quickly with Odisha mid-fielder Supriya Routray restoring parity five minutes later. Teams were locked 1-1 at the interval. After the change of ends, India controlled the proceedings and took the lead in the 64th minute through captain Bem Bem Devi. Kamala Devi capped the victory with a beautiful goal in the 87th minute. India scored a total of 33 goals in five matches they played in the championship.
Head coach Mohammad Shahid Jabbar gave all credit to the players for the title triumph. ``The team made good preparation for the championship and the girls gave their best on the field. Full credit to the players for defending the title,`` said Jabbar.
FAO ANNOUNCES REWARDS: Football Association of Odisha secretary Sanjay Behera congratulated the victorious Indian team and announced a reward of Rs 10,000 each for four Odisha players (Sita Sharma, Supriya Routray, Alochona Senapati, Lochona Munda) of the Indian team, head coach Mohammad Shahid Jabbar and goalkeeping coach Ranjita Mohanty (both from Odisha).
Indian team also featured three more Odisha players (Suprava Samal, Sasmita Mallik and Pinky Bompal Magar), who are now representing Bihar after getting employment there.
INDIA RESULTS:
Sept 8: India (Kamala Devi 64th, Bem Bem Devi 76th, Alochana Senapati 88th) Bangladesh 3-0.
Sept 9: India (Parameshwori Devi 50th, 65th; Suprava Samal 16th, Reena Roy Devi 22nd, Pinky Bompal Magar 52nd) beat Sri Lanka 5-0.
Sept 11: India (Tuli Goon 14th, Yumnam Kamala Devi 25th, Sasmita Mallik 29th, Ashem Romi Devi 30th, Pinky Bompal Magar 41st, 49th, 65th; Parmeshwari Devi 43rd, 63rd, Montesori Chanu 62nd, Supriya Routray 73rd) beat Bhutan 11-0.
Sept 14 (Semifinal): India (Yumnam Kamala Devi 4th, 57th, 90th; Prameshwori Devi 31st; Oinam Bem Bem Devi 40th, 70th; Sasmita Mallick 43rd, 60th, 61st, 78th; Pinky Bompal Magar 80th) beat Afghanistan 11-0.
Sept 16 (Final): India (Supriya Rout Ray 8th; Bem Bem Devi 64th; Kamala Devi 87th) beat Nepal (Dipa Adhikari 3rd) 3-1.
