India rode on Orissa mid-fielder Sasmita Mallick`s 65th minute goal to win the first-ever SAFF Women’s Football Championship, edging out Nepal 1-0 in the final at Cox’s Bazar Stadium, Bangladesh today. India striker Bala Devi was adjudged best player of the tournament, Mallick emerged highest scorer with 14 goals. She earlier scored seven against Bhutan, three against Sri Lanka, two against Bangladesh and one against Pakistan.

India slammed as many as 40 goals in five matches, but what was even more satisfying is that the team did not concede a single goal. Enroute to the final, India trounced Bhutan 18-0, Sri Lanka 7-0, host Bangladesh 6-0 in their three league matches and then hammered arch-rivals Pakistan 8-0 in the semifinals.

Two other Orissa players put up creditable performance in the championship with Pinky Bompal Magar netting two goals against Sri Lanka, one against Bhutan and Gayatri Mallick striking twice against Pakistan. Altogether six players and coach Mohammad Saheed Jabbar represented Orissa in the Indian team. Other three players were Sita Sharma, Alochana Senapati and Suprava Samal.
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PHOTO: Players of Indian team that emerged champion in the SAFF Women`s Football Championship in Bangladesh on Dec 23, 2010.