Defending champions Bangladesh showed their intent to win the SAFF Women’s Championship trophy for a second straight time as they defeated India 3-1 in their last Group A match at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Tohura Khatun scored a brace after Afeida Khandaker opened the scoring for Bangladesh. Bala Devi Ngangom pulled one back for India.

It was Bangladesh’s second consecutive victory over India in the group stage of the SAFF women’s competition, having also beaten them 3-0 in 2022.

Two years ago, the Bengal Tigresses broke five-time champions India’s sole domination on the throne since the inception of the competition 14 years ago by winning the title for the first time and the outcome serves as a clear statement Bangladesh are in Kathmandu again to repeat the feat.

The victory also helped Bangladesh progress into the semi-finals as group winners with four points. They will face the runners-up of Group B in the last four.

Nepal currently occupy the top spot in Group B due to goal difference despite being square with Bhutan on four points. Nepal face Sri Lanka and Bhutan meet the Maldives in the final group games on Thursday.

India advanced as the second-placed team in the group with three points and will lock horns against the Group B winners for a place in the final after missing out on the title match for the first time in 2022.

There were questions whether Bangladesh would be able to keep their title defence on track under their new coach Peter James Butler when they had to rely on a stoppage time goal from Shamsunnahar Junior to rescue a draw against less fancied Pakistan.

But the Tigresses were a different side against India and kept their opponents under pressure from early on, with Shamsunnahar Junior reaching closer to goal in the 5th minute.

Bangladesh had to survive a scare in the 11th when a blunder from their goalkeeper Rupna Chakma almost allowed Manisha Kalyan to score.

But Bangladesh quickly regrouped and took the lead in the 19th minute when Khandaker surprised unfortunate India goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu and defenders with a chip shot after the goalie’s poor attempt to grab a corner fell into her path.

Bangladesh continued to knock at India’s door with attacks after attacks, with Ritu Porna Chakma rattling the crossbar in the 26th.

The pressure paid off again as Tohura doubled Bangladesh’s lead three minutes later. Indian goalie Chanu was at fault again as her another poor goalkeeping effort to keep away a cross from Ritu allowed Tohura to tap in from close range.

Bala Devi Ngangom should have reduced the deficit in the 35th when Ranjana Chanu Sorokhaibam set her up for an open chance with a perfect cross just outside the six yard box but the striker shot straight at the goalkeeper.

India’s Kalyan went close to scoring minutes later but her freekick hit the crossbar.

Bangladesh then punished India for missed opportunities furthering their lead in the 42nd. Shamsunnahar Senior and Shamsunnahar Junior combined to set up Tohura whose missile from the edge of the area gave India netkeeper Chanu no chance.

India were finally able to find some breathing space a minutes later when Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna’s feeble effort to stop a cross from Dalima Chhibber let Bala Devi to head comfortably over her.

But Rupna became the hero of Bangladesh after the break as she made two brilliant saves to keep out superb efforts from Sanju—in the 56th—and second half substitute Jyoti Chauhan—in the 62nd.

India continued their search for goals with no fruit and it was Bangladesh who nearly got their fourth in the 80th with Sapna Rani forcing India’s Chanu into a finger tip save with a long-ranged shot.