Bangladesh women's national football team kept the trophy of the SAFF Women's Championship 2024 with a 2-1 hard fought victory over host Nepal in the final on Wednesday at the Dasharath Rangasala in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Previously, Bangladesh lifted its first ever trophy of the SAFF Women's Championship following a 3-1 win over the same opponent in the final in September 2022.
Bangladesh and Nepal began the high voltage melee with much enthusiasm as it was a chance for Bangladesh to keep the title while Nepal was hopeful of taking a revenge of the defeat in the last final.
In the final this time, the first half saw attacks and counter attacks from both sides yet the scoreboard remained unchanged.
After the barren first half, Bangladesh women started the match with a new hope. They pushed the opponent hardline quite a few times before breaching it to open the net in the 52nd minute. Dribbling past a few markers, Bangladesh midfield Monika Chakma, popularly known as the Magical Monika, took a quick shot that didn't miss the post. Although the quick midfielder could not balance after taking the shot and was grounded, her shot still touched everyone's heart and the post.
Digesting a goal, the Nepalese defenders became brutal and started hurting Bangladesh booters whenever they found a way. Their midfielder Sabita grounded Bangladesh skipper Sabina Khatun while receiving a long shot on the left flank in the 53rd minute. Bangladesh was given a spot kick yet the women in red and green outfits could not utilise the chance.
Riding on a 56-minute goal of Amisha Karki, the host women levelled the margin soon. The 19-year-old striker literally brought the hosts back into the game with that goal.
Bangladesh finally scored the match-winning goal in the 81st minute as midfielder Shamsunnahar Sr passed the ball to winger Ritu Porna Chakma who took a 35-yard long shot towards the post and the Nepalese custodian Anjila Tumbapo Subba jumped as far as possible to intercept but failed to deflect the flight of the ball before it hit the far post.
Winning the match, Bangladesh not only kept the trophy but also boosted their morale for the next assignment. Also, Bangladesh women proved that they were the best in the region.
Last time, Bangladesh women were received warmly at the airport and taken to the BFF House on an open-top bus. What is waiting for them this time?
