The stage is set for the final encounter of SAFF Women’s Football Championship, when in a bid to retain the title Bangladesh women will take on their hosts Nepal counterparts today.
The match will take place at the Dasarat Rangasala Stadium at 6:45pm (BST).
In fact, it’s almost a same consequence of the 2022, when Bangladesh moved into the final defeating Bhutan with a big margin (8-0) win in the semifinal following 3-1 win over India in group stage. This time also Bangladesh India in the group stage by 3-1 and by 7-1 in the semifinal in their way of reaching the final and the host Nepal face Bangladesh in the final. So it’s just like a same episode of last edition of the SAFF Women’s Football. In 2022 also Nepal moved into the final after defeating India in the semifinal and this time also the hosts defeated India in the semifinal and advanced to the final.
This time in an eventful semifinal, between Nepal and India match was stopped twice for more than an hour when Nepalese booter protested two decisions from referee. Finally, after a 2-2 draw in the stipulated 90 minutes game Nepal snatched the victory by 4-2.
However, in head to head record, Nepal women are far ahead of Bangladesh. In their last 11 meetings since 2014, Bangladesh could win only one match against five defeats and drew five matches. In the SAFF Women Championship both sides met for three times with Nepal winning twice and Bangladesh won one match.
Afida Khondokar, one of the defenders of the Bangladesh Women team believes that they would be able to retain the title when she expressed her high hopes to the reporters after a practice session yesterday (Tuesday).
Afida, who scored the first goal against India in their group match, conveying respect to all participants said, “Actually all teams are good, all the teams improved a much times time. We played Nepal previously, in Asian Games, two friendlies and in the last SAFF Championship final. If could keep up our momentum, hope it will not difficult for us to win the match.”
Replying to a query Afida said, “Yes, Nepal will play in front of their crowds, at their home ground but we have experiences and use to play at away ground, it would be not big factor. We will think the crowds are supporters.”
“In fact we will have to keep our cool, as we played in the last matches, there might be excitement and pressure but we will have to overcome all to win the match. Inshallah, hope we will win the trophy
