In Wednesday’s thrilling final match at Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal, the Bangladeshi women’s football team once again made the country proud by winning the coveted SAFF Women’s Championship title by defeating host Nepal by a score of 2-1 goals.
After making history by defeating the same opponent by 3-1 goals in the previous SAFF title, which was held at the same location in 2022, Bangladesh won the SAFF title for the second time.
Amisha Karki scored the only goal for Nepal during the match, while Ritu Porna Chakma and Monika Chakma each scored one goal. The second half saw all three goals.
A goal was denied to Nepal in the tenth minute. Following a long pass from midfield, Sabitra Bandhari sent Amisha Karki a close pass. Karki took a right-footed shot from the top of the box, but the ball struck the crossbar and returned to play.
In the 28th minute, Amisha nearly scored for Nepal once more. Even though she found Bangladeshi custodian Rupna defenceless beneath the bar, she was unable to properly collect the ball from Sabrita this time while standing inside the D box.
Bangladesh got two corners in the first half despite having little organised offence. But Sabina and company were unable to utilise those to their full potential.
In the first half, both teams got several scoring chances but failed to break the deadlock.
After the resumption, Bangladesh were desperately looking to break the deadlock and their best moment came in the 52nd minute. Following a combined attack by Sabina and Monika in the danger zone, Monika Chakma gave Bangladesh a deserving lead with a placing shot from goal-mouth melee. But the lead lasted for a few minutes as Amisha finally brought Nepal a fight back in the match in the 56th minute. After receiving a through long pass from Preeti Rai, she sent the ball home with a perfect placing shot giving no chance to Bangladesh custodian Rupna.
Ritu Porno Chakma sealed the victory for Bangladesh in the 81st minute with eye-catching goal. After receiving a throw ball she ran down from the left and sent the ball to the net with powerful a left footer angular shot giving no chance to Nepalese custodian Anjila under the bar.
Ritu Porna Chakma, who scored the winning goal for Bangladesh, was named the player of the match for her impressive performance in the final match.
Despite their best efforts, Nepal was unable to score any goals in the remaining minutes of the game and ultimately had to contend for the runners-up trophy for the sixth time in the tournament.
Shamsunnahar Sr., Afeida Khandaker, Ritu Porna Chakma, Tohura Khatun, Rupna Chakma, Sabina Khatun, Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar Jr., Masura Parvin, and Maria Manda are the members of the Bangladesh XI.
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