SAFF Women’s Championship final: Bangladesh defeat host Nepal 2-1

KATHMANDU: Bangladesh defeated host Nepal to retain the title of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship.

In the match played under lights at Dashrath Stadium in Tripureshwor, Bangladesh defeated Nepal by 2-1 goals. Two years ago, Bangladesh had defeated Nepal by 3-1 goals to win the championship for the first time.

All the three goals were scored in the second half, after the first half ended in a goalless draw. Bangladesh took the lead in the 52nd minute, with Monica Chakma opening the scoresheet. However, the lead did not last long, as Nepal’s Amisha Karki made it 1-1 in the 56th minute.

Ritu Porna Chokma scored in the 81st minute, as her cross into the box from the left flank beat Nepali goalkeeper to make it 2-1 for the visitors. The scoreline did not change, as Nepal failed to exert any pressure in the remaining nine minutes and added five minutes.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who watched the final, also gave away the championship trophy and medals to the winners and runner-up.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakashman Singh, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Minister for Youth and Sports Minister Tejulal Chaudhary, ANFA President Pankaj Nembang, were among the dignitaries present at the full-house stadium to watch the final match.

Nepal lost in the final for the sixth time, four times to India and two times, including this one, to Bangladesh. India have won the championship five times while Bangladesh made it two in a row, after winning in 2022.

Host Nepal had made it to the final after defeating five-time champions India 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the semi-final. Bangladesh eased to the finals following a 7-1 win against Bhutan.