SPORTS REPORTER

A day after the men’s team held a strong Indian side to a thrilling 4-4 draw, the women’s side went a step further by kicking off their SAFF Futsal Championship campaign with an emphatic 3-1 victory over India in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday.

“I think the people in Bangladesh are happy with a victory over India. We still have five matches left. Everyone pray for us so that we can make the Bangladeshi people happier, which is our main target,” said skipper Sabina Khatun, who broke the deadlock after playing neat one-two passes with Krishna.

The women in red and green looked the better side throughout, with Sabina once again scoring from a Krishna Rani pass in the first half.

Saeid Khodarahmi, coach of both the men’s and women’s futsal sides, explained why the girls had the upper hand against India. “My players were quick in play,” the Iranian coach said.

After resumption, Matsushima Sumaya’s strike took the game away from India, who found a consolation goal from Arya Dhanaji More in the latter part of the second half. The men’s team will be in action again today against Maldives, while Sabina’s troops are set to face Bhutan tomorrow.