The India U-16 Women’s national team claimed their first three points in the AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers with a 2-1 win against Bangladesh on Sunday.

Bangladesh opened the score sheet when Sanjida Akhter (21st) scored the first goal of the match. But a brace from Roja Devi Asem (30th & 66th) turned the match into India’s favour.

India will face the United Arab Emirates in their next qualifier on October 21.

Please scroll down for the AIFF Match Report…

AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Qualifiers | Group B
at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka (Bangladesh)

BANGLADESH U-16 2-1 INDIA U-16

GOALS
1-0 Sanjida Akhter (21′)
1-1 Roja Devi Asem (30′)
1-2 Roja Devi Asem (66′)

LINE-UPS

Bangladesh U-16
1 Ayesha – 3 Masura Parvin, 4 Khadija Akther Shima (66′ 16 Sheuli Azim), 14 Nargis Khatun, 23 Sharmila Bairagi – 7 Sanjida Akther, 8 Monika [C] (87′ 13 Jahan Ratna), 9 Krishna Rani (49′ 11 Lipi), 15 Jahan Moushumi – 6 Razia, 10 Bipasha

Unused Subs
22 Shurmi, 25 Jahan Rashida, 2 Sharmin Akther Asha, 5 Shuma, 17 Roksana Akther, 18 Kolpona Akther, 19 Mithila, 20 Chathuima, 21 Josna

India U-16
1 Shreya Hooda – 3 Jabamani Tudu, 5 Thahenbi Devi Maharabam, 4 Amrita Kumari [C], 16 Anline Sharmila Fernandes – 6 Srijana Tamang, 9 Nisha (59′ 19 Daya Devi Heigrujam), 7 Kashmina, 8 Premi Chiru – 10 Roja Devi Asem, 14 Sushmita Bardhan (85′ 17 Anushka Samuel)

Unused Subs
21 Linthoingambi Devi Maibam, 2 Eva Panna, 11 Lifa Gama, 15 Sasmita Behera, 18 Mansi Vakharia, 22 Adithi Rajagopal, 23 Atisha Pratap Singh, 24 Scindia Veganand Saundatikar, 25 Karen Kenneth Pais

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee
…

Assistant Referees
…, …

Fourth Official
…

BOOKINGS

Yellow Cards
17′ Razia (Bangladesh)

Yellow-Red Cards
none

Red Cards
65′ Masura Parvin (Bangladesh)

AIFF Match Report

India came from a goal down to upset hosts Bangladesh’s applecart by winning 2-1 in a Group B Encounter here at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka on Sunday (October 19, 2014).

Riding high after two wins back to back wins against Jordan and UAE, the hosts were dragged down to earth by India forward Roja Devi who scored a brace on either side of halftime to guide India to their first win. For Bangladesh, Sanjida scored the game’s first goal. In the 63rd minute, Bangladesh full back Masura was sent off.

The victory sees India open their account with three points from two matches while Bangladesh stay on six points from three matches. India next play lowly UAE on Tuesday.

It all started in the 20th minute when Krishna Rani – after being released by Sanjida – went down under a challenge from Anline Fernandes, with the referee pointing towards the spot right away. Sanjida steeped up and tucked the ball away neatly into the bottom left corner of goalkeeper Shreya Hooda.

Nine minutes later, from almost similar circumstances Masura hacked down Sushmita Bardhan from behind after the striker – playing her first game in place of injured Daya Devi – was teed up by Premi Chiru.

From the resultant spot kick, Roja smashed home into the left side of Bangladesh keeper Ayesha’s goal.

Either side of the two goals, both the teams had few chances. Premi came the closest to breaking the deadlock with the match just nine minutes old when she dragged her freekick from 25 yards inches wide.

Bangladesh’s Bipasha and Sanjida exchanged passes before setting up Krishna who was just offside.

Roja and Kashmina forced good saves from Ayesha before the break, while at the other end Sanjida threatened to double her tally.

Action switched gears at the hour mark. Masura raised her right foot a tad too high on Premi for referee Katherine Margaret’s comfort with the Australian referee giving the full back marching orders despite remonstrations from the hosts.

Premi’s ensuing free kick from 20 yards was awkwardly parried away by Ayesha only as far as a lurking Roja who did well to fire on the half volley into the roof of the net.

It was all India thereafter as Ayesha saved well from Roja’s close range jab and moments later tipped over one from substitute Daya Devi. Kashmina also missed narrowly from close with the match on added time.

Coach Rocky made one change to the team that lost to Iran, Bengal girl Sushmita Bardhan replacing the injured Daya Devi up front.