Sabina Akhter ended the year with her best performance ever.

The Bangladesh goalie was instrumental in holding reigning champions India to a goalless draw at the SAFF women’s football championship.

Sabina’s clean sheet helped Bangladesh emerge as group champions set to face Maldives in the semi finals on January 2 in Siliguri.

Coach Mahbubur Rahman Litu said Sabina was undoubtedly the hero of the day. His veteran goalie, who has been part of the side since 2009, saved the day. “There were two one-on-one situations that she saved.”

He said Sabina saved three sure goals. “There was another shot that hit the bar.”

When asked about the game, Sabina said, “This was by far my best performance.” She also agreed, to date this was her most memorable too.

Having come to the national side by dint of her performance in regional football, the 5’8” Sabina was tipped as the goalie ever since she began to play for her local side in Jessore.

The Bangladesh women’s football team had thrashed Afghanistan 6-0 whereas India managed a 5-1 victory against the war torn nation.

“So we were two ahead in goal difference and wanted the top spot of the group,” said Litu. He explained that having seen the teams perform it was clear who was stronger. “We wanted to take Maldives in the semis and so our aim was to hold India.”

Hence the women booters adopted a more defensive strategy for the game. “We knew this was a stronger team, so we decided to keep the ball in our half and tighten the defences.”

The team had also dedicated a marker for the star Indian striker Kamala Devi who, Litu said, scored quite a few goals in every game. “And boy did Moushumi stick to her target. She did not let Kamala alone for an instant. We had said before we want India to play with ten players. And thanks to Moushumi that is exactly what happened.”

Litu also praised Mashrufa a defender.

Looking ahead at the next match with Maldives, Litu said Bangladesh would go all out in that one. “I believe their strength is less than ours and we do not need to stress on our defence for that match. We will go after them with our full might, no holds barred.”

He was quite confident that if his girls performed according to their abilities, a final spot was all but confirmed.