Thursday, November 14

Bangladesh stun hosts to lift consecutive title

Subas Humagain, Kathmandu

Bangladesh won the SAFF Women’s Championship for the second time in a row by beating Nepal 2-1 in the final held at Dasharath Stadium on Wednesday.

Monika Chakma and Ritu Porna Chakma scored one goal each for Bangladesh. Nepal’s Amisha Karki scored to tie the game at one point, but Nepal couldn’t score again. This victory marked Bangladesh’s second consecutive title, while it was Nepal’s sixth loss in a final.

The first half of the match was very competitive, with both teams unable to score. In the first 10 minutes, both teams hit the woodwork. Bangladesh scored first in the second half, but Nepal quickly equalized five minutes later. Towards the end, Bangladesh scored again and held on to win.

In the first minute, Nepal almost had a disastrous start when Geeta Rana slipped during a goal kick, allowing Tohura Khatun to shoot. Her shot hit the crossbar, but goalkeeper Anjila saved the rebound.

Nepal almost took the lead in the 10th minute when Amisha Karki’s shot hit the crossbar. In the 24th minute, Nepal missed another chance after the goalkeeper made a mistake, but a defender cleared the ball just in time.

Bangladesh got on the scoreboard in the 50th minute when Monika Chakma scored after a mess in the Nepal defense. Nepal equalized in the 56th minute with a goal from Amisha Karki, who took advantage of a clever flick from Sabitra Bhandari off Preeti Rai’s pass.

In the 68th minute, Nepal’s captain Anjela made a great save, stopping a powerful shot from Bangladesh. However, in the 82nd minute, Ritu Porna Chakma scored again for Bangladesh, as the goalkeeper couldn’t make the save this time.

Ritu, who was kept quiet throughout the match by Sabita Rana Magar was left to cross by Anita Basnet, who came on to replace Nepal’s lone goalscorer. Sabita, who switched wings after Anita’s arrival was switched back to mark Ritu, and kept her quite until the end.

After the second goal, Bangladesh controlled the game and didn’t give Nepal a chance to attack. Nepal has now lost in the finals six times, having played in the SAFF Championship seven times.

Ritu, who scored the winning goal in final was adjudged player of the tournament. Champion custodian Rupna Chakma won the golden gloves while Bhutan’s Dekhi Lhazom took home the golden boot with 8 goals. Bhutan also won the fair play trophy.

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