Football News: India women win fifth straight SAFF title, extend unbeaten streak

India continued its dominance at the SAFF Women's Championship with the team lifting its fifth straight title by beating Nepal with a 3-1 win in the final. The win extends India's unbeaten run in the tournament's history to 23 games as goals from Dalima Chhibber, Grace Dangmei and substitute Anju Tamang saw India lift the trophy. The pace of the match was intense from the word go, with both sides pressing hard from the first whistle. In the semifinal against Bangladesh, it was Dalima who opened the scoring for India and this time around too, it was the right-back who gave India the advantage. In the 26th minute, she smashed the ball past the keeper from a free-kick from 30 yards with a powerful drive and put the defending champions into a 1-0 lead. Ratanbala Devi could have added a second goal six minutes later but her shot from a distance saved by the Nepal goalie. In the 34th minute though, Sabitra equalized for the hosts as she rose high above her marker and headed the ball into the back of the net. The break saw both sides go locked at a goal apiece but it could have easily been either team with the lead. The second half began with India creating the majority of the opportunities and India's pressure paid off in the 63th minute after Sanju put Grace through on goal with a delightful through ball. Coach Maymol Rocky brought on Anju Tamang in place of Sandhiya midway through the second half at the top of the pitch and in the 78th minute, the move paid rich dividends as she slammed the ball on the volley for India's third after a crafty first-time assist from Indumathi Kathiresan. Towards the end, Nepal threw the kitchen sink at the Indian defence but they refused to bow down and stood firm.