BD women’s maiden SAFF soccer title
Tuesday, 20 September 2022
Playing a scintillating brand of attacking football throughout the tournament, Bangladesh's women have clinched the SAFF championship after they thrashed Nepal 3-1 in the final at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, reports bdnews24.com.
Krishna Rani Sarkar struck twice to take the game away from the hosts after Shamsunnahar Junior had put them ahead to propel Bangladesh to their maiden title in the tournament's sixth edition on Monday.
Anita Basnet scored the consolation goal for Nepal.
The muddy pitch proved to be a hindrance to a free-flowing display.
But Shamsunnahar, who was subbed in for Sirat Jahan Shopna in the 10th minute of the match, showed her class even in such condition by opening the score-sheet with a thumping volley in the 12th minute. Bangladesh doubled the lead right before half-time when Krishna beat the offside trap.
After the break, Bangladesh focused on preserving the lead, which allowed Nepal to create momentum in their favour, resulting in a goal by Anita in the 70th minute.
Five minutes after conceding the solitary goal, Bangladesh punished the opponents with Krishna finishing from a counter-attack scored again.
The Nepalese side could only watch as the Bangladeshi women started celebrating their victory in front of a packed Kathmandu stadium after the final whistle in the 95th minute.