Kathmandu, September 19
Nepal lost yet another final of the SAFF Women’s Championship losing to Bangladesh 3-1 at Dasharath Stadium on Monday.
With this, Bangladesh became only the second team to lift the SAFF Women’s Championship.
Bangladesh opened the scoring early in the first half of the game with Shamsunnahar’s neat finish. Nepal tried to get back on level terms but could not thanks to some resolute defending from Bangladesh.
Both teams were not helped by the waterlogged pitch which slowed the flow of the game. As Nepal were getting into the game, Bangladesh doubled the lead, taking advantage of some poor defending, as Srimoti Sarkar scored in the 42nd minute.
Nepal came out all guns blazing in the second half, creating one chance after another but did not take it. The hosts did score in the 70th minute with Anita Basnet’s cleaver finish. They also created some great chances but Rashmi Ghising and Sabitra Bhandari both failed to convert the chances.
As Nepal were going all out, they left holes in their defence, after which Sarkar scored her second goal of the game all but settling the game and winning the first championship for Bangladesh. With this victory, they became the first team after India to win the championship.
Sabina Khatun, the captain of Bangladesh, finished as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals. She was also announced as the tournament’s MVP (most valuable player).
This is the 10th final Nepali women have lost.
