Bangladesh to take on Nepal in SAFF final today

Defending champions Bangladesh will take on hosts Nepal in the final match of the ongoing South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship 2024 on Wednesday (October 30) evening.

The match will kick off at 6:45 pm (Bangladesh time) at Dashrath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.

It will be the second occasion Bangladesh going to face Nepal in the SAFF final after they made the history in 2022 SAFF tournament by beating the hosts by 3-1 in the final to clinch their maiden SAFF title.

Bangladesh reached the final with a stunning performance, including Tohura Khatun’s hattrick in their 7-1 victory over Bhutan in the semifinals. Earlier, they topped Group A with an unbeaten record, notably defeating five-time champions India 3-1 and securing a 1-1 draw with Pakistan, thanks to a last-minute equalizer by Shamsunnahar Jr.

Nepal advanced to the final by eliminating India in a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, marking their second consecutive SAFF final appearance.

Bangladesh squad:

Rupna Chakma, Mst Yeazman Begum, Mile Akter, Masura Parvin, Afeida Khandakar, Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar (Sr.) Nilifa Yasmin Nila, Kohati Kisku, Monika Chakma, Maria Manda, Sapna Rani, Munki Akter, Airin Akter, Sumaya Matsushima, Sanjida Akter, Ritu Porno Chakma, Shaheda Akter Ripa, Sabina Khatun, Tohura Khatun, Shamsunnahar (Jr.), Krishna Rani Sarkar and Mst Sagorika.