The hosts finish as runners-up of SAFF Women's Championship for the fifth time in six editions
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 19
Bangladesh outplayed Nepal 3-1 to win the title of the sixth SAFF Women's Championship here at the Dasharath Stadium today.
Srimoti Krishnarani Sarkar scored a brace and substitute Shamsunnahar added one for Bangladesh, while Anita Basnet netted the consolation goal for the home team, who had the backing of more than 15,000 spectators. Bangladesh claimed maiden title in their second appearance in the final, while Nepal finished as runners-up for the fifth time.
Both Bangladesh and Nepal came to the final with one each victory over five-time defending champions India and they started the championship on a high with the teams creating one apiece chances in the first five minutes. Nepal slowed down a bit after 10 minutes and Bangladesh took full advantage scoring their first goal in the 13th minute.
The technically-strong Bangladesh opened the scoring through substitute Shamsunnahar with a brilliant onetouch volley from inside the box following a sublime cross from Monica Chakma, who dodged as many as two defenders before cutting back for her teammate. Nepal skipper and goalkeeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba, who was not at her proper position, did not even get time to react.
Bangladesh doubled the tally three minutes before the half time when Sarkar shot past Tumbapo in one-one-one situation after receiving the ball from her skipper Sabina Khatun. It was Shamsunnahar who played a key role in setting the goal after she snatched the ball from Nepali defenders and passed to her captain Khatun, who then found the unmarked Sarkar.
Anita Basnet cut the deficit to 2-1 to bring the home team back to the match in the 70th minute with a superb strike from the edge of the box following a pass from Amisha Karki. Nepal came close to levelling the scores four minutes later but second-half substitute Sabitra Bhandari was unlucky as her right-footed volley on a corner kick from Basnet went wide.
And Bangladesh effectively sealed the victory in the 77th minute after Krishnarani Sarkar met a mispass from Dipa Shahi and slotted home past goalkeeper Subba to make it 3-1.
The home team pressed hard but Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma stood firm at her goal, denying Dipa Shahi in the 82nd minute and Amisha Karki in injury time.
Earlier, Nepal goalkeeper Subba saved a long-range attempt from Krishnarani in the first minute, while Dipa Shahi had her shot from outside the box blocked by Bangladesh custodian Rupna Chakma. Anita Basnet came close to levelling the scores in the 36th minute but Bangladesh keeper Chakma made a diving save to punch out the brilliantly-taken free kick from 20 yards out. Nepal ran out of luck two minutes later when Bangladesh defenders made a goalie clearance at a time when goalkeeper Chakma was already beaten in a penalty-box melee.
Nepal head coach Kumar Thapa sent in star striker Sabitra Bhandari - who missed one each group stage match and semi-finals due to dengue - but she was far from her natural play. The home team almost made it 2-1 in the 48th minute when Amrita Jaisi headed into the box on Anita Basnet's corner but the Bangladesh goalkeeper Chakma got her hands to the ball and it rebounded to play off the post.
Rashmi Kumari Ghising muffed up a free header from eight yards following a sublime cross from Anita Basnet in the 52nd minute. Bhandari had a chance to level the scores in the 74th minute but she shot wide off the target on a corner from Anita Basnet.
Apart from clinching the maiden trophy, Bangladesh also clean swept individual awards. They won the Fair Play award, while Chakma Khatun - who conceded just one goal in the tournament - was named the best goalkeeper. Bangladesh skipper Sabina Khatun won the highest scorer's award with eight goals, while she was also declared the Most Valuable Player f the Championship.
Nepal head coach Kumar Thapa apologised to the fans for not being able to achieve the goal and also stepped down from the post. "I am extremely sorry as we could not meet our target of winning the title," said Thapa. "This is football, these things happen. Only one team can win the title and unfortunately we ended up in the losing side," he added.
"As I could not get success in our plan, I am stepping down from the post. I believe that you have to be ever ready to leave the space for others when you cannot achieve the target," said the former national team midfielder. "I am satisfied with the overall performance of the team. We just failed to convert the chances that came our way in the final," he added. "This is not a weak team and the players have a bright future. The ANFA should make proper plans for women football," he added.
