Bangladesh Wins SAFF Women’s Championship 2024: A Back to Back Victory

The SAFF Women's Championship 2024 has been an incredible exhibition of talent, determination, and emotion, with teams from all around South Asia competing for the renowned title. This year's tournament was held at Nepal's renowned Dashrath Rangasala Stadium and featured seven teams competing for supremacy: Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh won a thrilling final against Nepal, finishing up an incredible sequence of matches.

Kickoff: Group Stage Matches Set the Stage for Intense Competition

The championship kicked off on October 17, with each team displaying their skills and commitment in hard-fought group stage matches. Here’s a recap of how the games unfolded, setting the scene for a strongly competitive tournament.

India VS. Pakistan – October 17

The opening game was an action-packed start, with India defeating Pakistan 5-2. This match highlighted India’s offensive strength and set a high bar for the tournament.

Sri Lanka VS. Maldives – October 18

In the second match, Sri Lanka narrowly defeated the Maldives, 1-0. This close victory demonstrated Sri Lanka's defensive toughness, while the Maldives displayed determination despite the loss. 

Nepal VS. Bhutan – October 19

The third game ended in a scoreless 0-0 draw between host Nepal and Bhutan. Both teams displayed impressive defense, indicating the tough competition that lay ahead.

Bangladesh VS. Pakistan – October 20

Bangladesh and Pakistan faced off next, resulting in a balanced 1-1 draw. Each side demonstrated strategic play, with Bangladesh’s defensive tactics and Pakistan’s toughness coming into focus.

Bhutan VS. Sri Lanka – October 21

Bhutan showed their strength in an impressive 4-1 victory over Sri Lanka. Bhutan’s skillful attacks and teamwork were visible, establishing their position as a tough contender.

Nepal VS. Maldives – October 22

Nepal made an explosive statement in their match against the Maldives, winning 11-0. Rekha Poudel scored five goals, and Preeti Rai added a hat trick, thrilling the home crowd and raising expectations for Nepal’s chances in the tournament.

Bhutan VS. Sri Lanka – October 23

Bhutan continued to impress, defeating Sri Lanka by 4-1. Deki Lhazom scored two goals, earning Player of the Match awards and stating Bhutan's potential.

India VS. Bangladesh – October 24

Bangladesh defeated India with the score of 3-1. Tohura Khatun was selected Player of the Match for her outstanding effort, as Bangladesh confirmed its position as a strong contender.

Maldives VS. Bhutan – October 25

Bhutan’s dominance continued as they defeated Maldives with a record-breaking 13-0. This match further highlighted Bhutan's powerful offense, making them a team to watch.

Nepal VS. Sri Lanka – October 26

The much-anticipated encounter between Nepal and Sri Lanka ended with Nepal winning 6-0. Sabitra Bhandari, known as "Samba," started her SAFF 2024 journey in this game, while Sabita Rana Magar was selected Player of the Match. This victory guaranteed Nepal's spot in the semifinals and delighted the home fans.

Semifinals: The Road to the Final Showdown

With the group stage completed, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and India were into the semifinals, setting the stage for intense matchups that would determine the finalists.

Bangladesh VS. Bhutan – Semi Final 1

In the first semifinal, Bangladesh defeated Bhutan 7-1. The defending champions performed well, progressing to the final with a dominant effort.

Nepal VS. India – Semi Final 2

Nepal’s semi final against India was perhaps the most dramatic game of the tournament. The stadium was packed, with fans eagerly supporting the Nepali team. India scored first in the second half, but Nepal quickly countered with a goal that was controversially disallowed. Fans and players alike were outraged, leading to a temporary suspension of play.

After an hour-long wait, Nepal regrouped and eventually scored a goal to tie the game. The match went to a penalty shootout, which Nepal won 4-1. This victory sparked excitement among Nepali fans, as Nepal qualified to the finals against Bangladesh.

The Grand Finale: Nepal VS. Bangladesh

On the final day, Dashrath Rangasala Stadium overflowed with fans, as thousands gathered to support their teams. The atmosphere was electric, with every fan eager to witness the outcome.

The first half was intensely competitive, with neither team being able to break through the other’s defense. Bangladesh finally opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, but Nepal responded quickly as Amisha Rai scored with an assist from Preeti Rai, leveling the score at 1-1. The tension was clear as both teams fought tirelessly.

In the final ten minutes, Bangladesh scored once more, taking a 2-1 lead. Nepal made every effort to equalize, but Bangladesh's defense stood solid. When the final whistle blew, Bangladesh emerged as the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 winners, leaving the Nepali fans with mixed emotions. Although Nepal did not win the title, their dedication and determination during the event were praised across the country.

The SAFF Women's Championship 2024 has demonstrated the improvement and growing popularity of women's football in Nepal and across South Asia. Nepal's road to the finals won the hearts of supporters, and the massive turnout at Dashrath Rangasala Stadium demonstrated the country's love for the sport. Despite the loss, the Nepali team's performance impressed many fans and predicted a bright future for women's football in the country.

As Nepal and other South Asian countries continue to develop their women’s football programs, there is no doubt that the future holds great promise. The SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 has set a new standard for football in South Asia, with teams and fans alike looking forward to even more excitement in future tournaments.