Pokhara, December 9

Nepal faced a 2-0 defeat at the hands of India in the final of the women’s football tournament here at the Pokhara Stadium today.

Bala Devi scored both the goals for the two-time defending champions India.

Devi opened the scoring in the 18th minute of the match capitalizing on the defensive error from the home team. Devi doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half to seal the victory.

Nepal lost to India for the third straight time in the final of the SA Games and six overall. Nepal have faced defeats against India in three finals of the Women’s SAFF Championship. Nepal had faced 1-0 defeat in the league round of the tournament on Saturday.

Nepal women’s national football team members pose for a group photo with officials after winning silver medal in the 13th South Asian Games in Pokhara on Monday, December 9, 2019. Photo: THT

Meanwhile, Nepal coach Hari Khadka resigned from the post on moral grounds.

“We had set the target of winning gold medal but we could not,” said Khadka, who also declared of not returning to the post in future.

“We put in weak performance today and conceded both the goals because of our own mistakes,” he added.

13th S

Skipper Niru Thapa and Mana Maya Limbu announced their retirement from the national team.