Kathmandu – In a thrilling showdown at Dasharath Rangasala, Bangladesh successfully defended their SAFF Women’s Championship title, defeating hosts Nepal 2-1 in a tense final on Wednesday. The dramatic win, fueled by standout performances from Monika Chakma and Ritu Porna Chakma, secured Bangladesh’s second consecutive championship, leaving Nepal heartbroken in yet another SAFF final.

The match kept over 15,000 Nepalese fans on the edge of their seats and saw all three goals scored in a riveting second half. Monika Chakma struck first, capitalizing on a defensive lapse in the 52nd minute, silencing the fervent home crowd. Just four minutes later, however, Nepal struck back with a skilful finish from Amisha Karki, whose equalizer momentarily revived the Nepali side’s hopes.

Yet Bangladesh’s resilience proved decisive as Ritu Porna Chakma netted the winning goal in the 81st minute. Her powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box soared past Nepali keeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba, cementing Bangladesh’s place at the top of South Asian women’s football once again.

Early Chances and Tension

Both teams showcased attacking intent from the start, with Bangladesh captain Sabina Khatun narrowly missing an opportunity in the second minute. Nepali libero Geeta Ranamar misjudged a clearance that landed at Sabina’s feet, but her powerful shot deflected off the crossbar, sparing Nepal an early setback.

Nepal responded in the 10th minute when Amisha Karki’s right-footed strike rattled the crossbar after a skilful setup by forward Sabitra Bhandari. The home side continued pressing, missing another golden chance in the 28th minute as Amisha failed to capitalize on a pinpoint pass from Sabitra.

Monika’s Opener and Nepal’s Resilient Response

Bangladesh broke the deadlock in the second half, with Monika Chakma seizing on a sloppy Nepali back pass. Captain Sabina intercepted Amisha’s pass, beating three defenders to set Monika up for a clean finish, sending the visiting fans into a frenzy.

Nepal, undeterred, answered swiftly. In the 56th minute, Amisha levelled the score with a precision strike off a through ball from Preeti Rai, slipping past Bangladeshi keeper Rupna Chakma.

Ritu’s Decisive Strike

The back-and-forth battle reached a boiling point when Ritu Porna Chakma unleashed a superb left-footed shot with only nine minutes left, exploiting a lapse in Nepal’s defence. Her strike from the left flank curled past Anjila Tumbapo Subba and hit the far post netting, clinching the title for Bangladesh.

This win marks Nepal’s sixth SAFF final defeat, continuing a streak of near-misses despite passionate performances. This victory further cements Bangladesh’s dominance in South Asian women’s football, building on their 2022 title win on the same pitch.

As Nepal reflects on a hard-fought campaign, Bangladesh will celebrate a gritty and well-earned championship triumph, solidifying its place as the reigning queen of South Asian football.