Bangladesh retains SAFF Women’s Championship title

Bangladesh has retained the title of South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship with a 2-1 win against Nepal.

The final was held at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

In the proceeding, Monika Chakma and Ritu Porna Chakma scored one goal each for Bangladesh in the 52nd and 81st minutes while Amisha Karki netted a lone goal for Nepal in the 56th minute of the match.

Nepal was deprived from a certain goal in the 10th minute. Sabitra Bandhari, after receiving a long pass from midfield, provided a close pass to Amisha Karki who took a right footer shot from the top of the box but the ball returned to play after hitting the crossbar. 

Amisha again came close to scoring for Nepal in the 28th minute. This time standing inside the D box she failed to receive the ball properly from Sabrita despite finding Bangladesh custodian Rupna helpless under the bar.

Bangladesh made one change to their lineup. British coach Peter Butler opted to bring back Shamsunnahar Junior, who has recovered from her injury, in place of Sagarika, who had played in the semi-final.

Bangladesh, the defending champions, won their first SAFF title in 2022, defeating Nepal on home soil. 

Bangladesh XI for the Final: Rupna Chakma, Masura Parvin, Shiuli Azim, Afida Khandakar, Shamsunnahar Senior, Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Sabina Khatun, Tahura Khatun, Rituparna Chakma, and Shamsunnahar Junior.