An injury time goal by Shamsunnahar Jr enabled defending champions Bangladesh to stay in the semifinal race of the seven - nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women`s Championship` 2024 playing 1-1 draw with Pakistan in their first Group A match at the Dashrath Rangasala (Stadium) in Kathmandu Sunday evening.
Bangladesh outplayed Pakistan by 6-0 goals in the last SAFF Women`s Championship.
Samin Malik put Pakistan ahead in the 32nd minute utilizing a lapse defender Sheuly Azim with the frustration of holders Bangladesh (1-0).
When the match was almost heading for Pakistan win at the coffin of Bangladesh, striker Shamsunnahar Jr rescued Bangladesh scoring the match equalizer by a good header from goalmouth melee in the first minute of added time (90+1 minute (1-1)
After the day`s match, Bangladesh, the champions of 2022, held the upper hand in the semifinal race and needed just a draw in their remaining group match against five times champions India on October 23.
Bangladesh also have a chance to reach the semis if they conceded narrow defeat against India in the last group march.
On other hand, Pakistan went down in the semi-final race as they suffered 2-5 goals defeat against traditional rivals India in the tournament opener and now waiting for Bangladesh`s huge defeat against India.
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in three-team Group A of the regional soccer meet India and Pakistan while the four-team Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan and the hosts Nepal.
After the day`s group matches, India dominated the Group A securing full three points while Bangladesh and Pakistan remained at 2nd slot with one point each playing one and two matches respectively.
Sri Lanka dominated Group B with full three points beating the Maldives by 1-0 goal while Bhutan played goalless with hosts Nepal to share 2nd and 3rd slot respectively with one point each.
The Maldives remained at bottom without any point.
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