Bangladeshi striker Sanjida Akhter has officially embarked on her new chapter in Kolkata, marking a historic moment as the first-ever female foreign footballer to join the ranks of the esteemed East Bengal FC from her previous stint with Bashundhara Kings.
The 22-year-old forward is poised to partake in her inaugural practice session with the Indian Women’s League side this Friday, as confirmed by team manager Indrani Sarkar. Speaking over the phone from Kolkata, Indrani expressed satisfaction with Sanjida’s historic entry, stating, “We are pleased that she (Sanjida) is the first international women’s footballer from Bangladesh to join East Bengal.”
This move signifies a significant milestone for the former Bashundhara Kings winger, as she ventures into an overseas league, following in the footsteps of Sabina Khatun and Krishna Rani Sarkar. Sabina, having previously signed with Kickstart FC, initiated her second stint in the IWL with the Karnataka-based team.
Anticipation surrounds Sanjida’s imminent debut in the Indian Women’s League, with East Bengal scheduled to face Sports Odisha in their upcoming match on Tuesday.
আমাগো বাসায় স্বাগতম, সানজিদা! 🏠
— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) January 24, 2024
Bangladesh attacker and 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship winner Sanjida Akhter is #EmamiEastBengal’s first-ever female foreign recruit! 🔴🟡#IWL #JoyEastBengal #WelcomeSanjida pic.twitter.com/6YAUSmk5sw
In the league standings, East Bengal is facing challenges, securing only three points from four matches and currently holding the second-to-last position in the seven-team points table.
Rising Through the Ranks: Sanjida Akter’s Remarkable Football Journey
Born on March 20, 2001, in Kalsindur, Dhobaura, Mymensingh district, Sanjida Akter’s journey in football commenced with promising strides.
Sanjida marked her presence early in the football arena as a vital member of the AFC U-14 Girls’ Regional Championship – South and Central-winning Bangladesh U-14 team in Nepal in 2015. Her prowess was further showcased at the 2017 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship qualifiers held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where she played in all five matches.
Emergence in Tournaments
The inaugural glimpse of Sanjida’s talent occurred in 2011 when she participated in the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Gold Cup Football Tournament for Kolsindur Govt. Primary School.
Sanjida’s club career took a significant turn in 2019 when she joined the Bangladesh Women’s Football League team, Bashundhara Kings Women. Throughout the 2019-20 Bangladesh Women’s Football League season, she served as the starting midfielder, leaving an indelible mark with her contributions.
Sanjida’s dedication and skill earned her a spot in the Bangladesh girls’ U-17 team for the 2015 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship qualification – Group B matches in 2014. Notably, she played a pivotal role in the AFC U-14 Girls’ Regional Championship – South and Central in Nepal in 2015, where Bangladesh U-14 Girls emerged as champions. With nine appearances and four goals, Sanjida played a crucial part in the U-17 nationals, securing qualification for the 2017 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Thailand.
International Stature
Continuing her international journey, Sanjida participated in the 2019 AFC U-19 Women’s Championship qualification and the 2020 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the world of women’s football.
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East Bengal Clinches a Spot in the Kalinga Super Cup Final with a Convincing Victory Over Jamshedpur FC
East Bengal FC confirmed their place in the Kalinga Super Cup final after securing a 2-0 victory against Jamshedpur FC on January 24. The Red and Gold Brigade displayed a commendable performance with goals from Hijazi Maher and Javier Siverio in the respective halves, marking their second final appearance of the season.
Entering the clash with positive momentum, Red & Gold Giants had previously sealed a memorable 3-1 win against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan SG, earning them a place in the final four. On the other hand, Jamshedpur FC qualified for the semi-finals after triumphant encounters against Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC.
In the early stages, both teams displayed intent, but it was Jamshedpur FC that created more promising opportunities, enjoying dominance facilitated by Jeremy Manzorro’s midfield prowess. Despite several half-chances, the Red Miners couldn’t find the elusive final touch in the initial quarter. The team from Bengal however, capitalized on their first set-piece chance in the 20th minute. Cleiton Silva’s well-placed corner met Saul Crespo, who selflessly set up Hijazi Maher for a simple tap-in, opening the scoring.
Undeterred, Jamshedpur FC pressed on and nearly levelled the score around the half-hour mark. Thongkhosiem Haokip’s clever play set up Rei Tachikawa, but Prabhsukhan Gill’s acrobatic save denied the equalizer. Despite continued threats from Jamshedpur FC, East Bengal remained dangerous on the counter. In the closing moments of the first half, PV Vishnu’s long-range attempt tested Rehenesh TP, but the goalkeeper’s fingertip save thwarted East Bengal’s quest for a second goal.
As the halftime whistle blew, both East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC had experienced their fair share of opportunities, but it was East Bengal’s clinical finishing that ultimately tilted the balance in their favor. Returning to the field after the break with revitalized energy, East Bengal’s precision in front of goal persisted. Just two minutes into the second half, Nishu Kumar exploited space on the left flank, delivering a precisely driven cross met by Javier Siverio’s well-timed run. The Spaniard calmly slotted the ball into the net, doubling the lead for the Kolkata giants.
Following the second goal, the Red and Gold Brigade asserted control over the game, showcasing the trademark resilience associated with a Carles Cuadrat-led team. The absence of a striking presence upfront for Jamshedpur FC, due to Steve Ambri’s first-half injury and subsequent substitution, left them vulnerable. Despite the Red Miners’ possession dominance, committing players forward exposed them at the back, a weakness that East Bengal skilfully exploited.
In the penultimate minutes of regulation time, substitute Sayan Banerjee showcased skilful manoeuvres, earning a penalty after being brought down in the box. Surprisingly, Cleiton Silva missed the resulting spot-kick, offering Jamshedpur FC a ray of hope. In a tactical manoeuvre, Jamshedpur head coach Khalid Jamil pushed centre-back Elsinho upfront to alter the dynamics of the game. The strategy posed challenges for East Bengal, and in a late onslaught, Jamshedpur came close to scoring through Pratik Chaudhari and Elsinho, testing Prabhsukhan Gill once again.
However, East Bengal weathered the storm and secured a 2-0 victory, booking their place in another final. The upcoming clash at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday, January 29, will see them face either Mumbai City FC or Odisha FC, as the Red and Gold Brigade aim to etch their name onto the Kalinga Super Cup trophy. Despite late efforts from Jamshedpur FC, East Bengal FC’s goalkeeper Gill made crucial saves, preserving the 2-0 lead until the final whistle. East Bengal advances to the Kalinga Super Cup final, awaiting the winners of the second semi-final between Odisha FC and Mumbai City FC. The final is set for January 28, 2024, at 7:30 PM IST in Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium.
