Oct. 24: Only two SAFF Women’s Championship champions have been in the past six editions: five times by India and the previous edition, in 2022, by Bangladesh. The defending champions Bangladesh upset the favourites of the seventh edition, India, in their group stage encounter on Wednesday at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu.

Bangladesh defeated India by a score of 3-1 when the duo played the final game of Group A. With the win, Bangladesh has progressed to the semi-final as the group winner and India as the runners-up. Thus, Bangladesh and India will face the runners-up and winner of Group B in the semis respectively.

India, the tournament’s favourites, conceded three goals within the first half. They also scored the only goal within the first 45 minutes. Moreover, India trailed by 3-0 before replying with the only consolation goal in the 44th minute.

Bangladesh opened their account in the 18th minute. Afeida Khandaker capitalised on a poor clearance by the Indian goalie while defending a corner kick.

The second goal came in less than 10 minutes later. The second 

goal was also a result of a poor clearance by E. Panthoi Chanu; Tohura Khatun was there to make it 2-0 in the 29th minute.

Finally, Bangladesh scored their third goal in the 43rd minute. It was Tohura again as she scored her second of the match with a half-volley. 

India, despite creating several chances, could capitalise on one chance only. Bala Devi Ngangom, who was playing in her 101st international game for India, was the lone scorer for India with a goal in the 44th minute.

Bangladesh now has four points in two matches, a win against India and a draw against Pakistan. However, India was restricted to three points as they could only win one of the two matches, against Pakistan, in the group stage. Pakistan, with a point from a draw against Bangladesh, is in the last position and out of the tournament.

Group A semi-finalists

await their opponents

Group A winner Bangladesh and runners-up India will now wait for the two matches of Thursday to conclude as the two games will decide the duo’s opponents in the semi-final.

Nepal and Bhutan are likely to enter the semi-final; but their group position would be decided after they face Sri Lanka and the Maldives on Thursday respectively.

Currently, Nepal is in top of Group A and is followed by Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Nepal and Bhutan are equal in points, but Nepal leads in goal difference following a 11-0 defeat over the Maldives on Monday.

Nepal’s squad was visible in the Dasharath Stadium on Tuesday when India and Bangladesh completed. Nepali players were closely analysing the players of the two countries as they are most likely to face one of them in the semis.

Nepal, who is facing Sri Lanka on Thursday, has a high chance to emerge victorious; similar is the chance for Bhutan against the Maldives.

Nepal, who has lost in the final of the SAFF Championships five times in the past six editions, is eying their maiden international cup with head coach Rajendra Tamang highly optimistic this time.

Bhutan and Nepal will face the Maldives and Sri Lanka at Dasharath Stadium on Thursday respectively.