DHAKA, Oct 30, 2024 (BSS)- The Bangladesh eve football team once again made the nation proud as they retained the prestigious SAFF Women's Championship title beating host Nepal by 2-1 goals in the entertaining final match held at Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday.

It was the second occasion Bangladesh won the SAFF title after making history by winning their maiden SAFF title beating the same opponent by 3-1 goals in the last edition held in 2022 at the same venue.  

In the proceeding, Monika Chakma and Ritu Porna Chakma scored one goal each while Amisha Karki netted a lone goal for Nepal. All three goals came in the second half.

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.

Though Bangladesh produced little organized attack in the first half but got two corners. However, Sabina and Co. could not make the best use of those.

In the first half, both teams got several scoring chances but failed to break the deadlock. 

After the resumption, Bangladesh were desperately looking to break the deadlock and their best moment came in the 52nd minute. Following a combined attack by Sabina and Monika in the danger zone, Monika Chakma gave Bangladesh a deserving lead with a placing shot from goal-mouth melee. 
 
But the lead lasted for a few minutes as Amisha finally brought Nepal a fight back in the match in the 56th minute. After receiving a through long pass from Preeti Rai, she sent the ball home with a perfect placing shot giving no chance to Bangladesh custodian Rupna.    

Ritu Porno Chakma sealed the victory for Bangladesh in the 81st minute with eye-catching goal. After receiving a throw ball she ran down from the left and sent the ball to the net with powerful a left footer angular shot giving no chance to Nepalese custodian Anjila under the bar.

Ritu Porna Chakma, who scored the winning goal for Bangladesh, was named the player of the match for her impressive performance in the final match.  

Nepal however tried their best to stage a fight back in the match but they could not convert any goal in the remaining proceeding eventually they had to contend with runners-up trophy for the sixth time in the tournament.

Bangladesh XI - Rupna Chakma, Sabina Khatun, Sheuli Azim, Shamsunnahar Sr., Afeida Khandaker, Monika Chakma, Tohura Khatun, Ritu Porna Chakma, Shamsunnahar Jr., Masura Parvin and Maria Manda.