Bangladesh national women’s team defended their crown of the SAFF Women's Championship beating Nepal national women’s team by 2-1 in the final at the Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday (Oct 30). Bangladesh had clinched their historic maiden title of this prestigious regional football tournament for women after beating the same opponents by 3-1 in the final of the 2022 edition at the same venue.
With the feat, the women in red and green also became the second nation after India to defend the title. India defended their title five times in a row. Nepal, on the other hand, continued their title drought though they became the most final-playing nation.
On Wednesday night, the midfielder duo of Bangladesh – Monika Chakma and Ritu Porna Chakma – stole the show as they scored a each in the 52nd and 81st minutes while Nepal’s midfielder Amisha Karki reduced the gap in the 56th minute.
Bangladesh could get an early lead but a shot by forward Tohura Khatun deflected by the post in the 3rd minute of the game, though both sides failed to break the deadlock in the first half despite making several close attempts.
After the interval, Monika broke the deadlock scoring from the goalmouth melee. The unmarked Monika got the ball inside the box from Nepal’s midfielder Sabita Rana Magar who tried to intercept a pass between captain Sabina Khatun and Tohura. But Amisha ruined Bangladesh’s celebration within four minutes scoring an equalizer, off a perfect pass from another midfielder Preeti Rai.
The match was expected to go to the tie-breaker but Ritu Porna smashed all equation with her amazing left-footed long cross from the left flank of the box, off a throw-in by defender Shamsunnahar Sr nine minutes before the stipulated 90-minute.
Bangladesh made no mistakes in the rest of the game.
After starting the event with a 1-1 draw against Pakistan, Bangladesh made an impressive comeback in the tournament with 3-1 win over India. They stormed into the final after cruising Bhutan by 7-1 in the semifinal.
The two-time SAFF champions will return home on Thursday.
Bangladesh XI
Rupna Chakma, Sabina Khatun, Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar Sr., Afeida Khandaker, Monika Chakma, Tohura Khatun, Ritu Porna Chakma, Shamsunnahar Jr., Masura Parvin and Maria Manda.
