BIRATNAGAR, March 17: In-form Nepal has progressed to the semifinals as the group winner of the ongoing South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) women’s championship defeating Bangladesh 3-0 in the final Group A match played at the Shahid Stadium on Saturday. 

Both teams had already qualified for the semifinals after defeating Bhutan in their matches. With the finish at the top, Nepal will now face the runner-up of the Group B. India and Sri Lanka will vie for the top spot from the group on Sunday.

Sabitra Bhandari, once again, was instrumental in Nepal’s dominant performance against last year’s runner up getting involved in two goals for Nepal. 

She has been in great form for Nepal in the ongoing tournament but was deprived of a goal by Bangladeshi defender Nilufa Yesmin Nila as early as fifth minute in the match.

However, it didn’t take much time for home team to open the scoring as the first goal of the match was an own goal conceded by Bangladeshi defender Masura Parvin. Nepal was gifted a lead in the 6th minute when Man Maya Limbu’s long ball toward striker Bhandari was intercepted by Parvin to attempt a clearance but the header ended up into her own net.

It was all Nepal from get go as Bhandari gave Nepal a 2-0 lead in the 23rd minute skillfully finishing from a tight angle. It was her 24th international goal for Nepal. 

Within five minutes, Bhandari started another counter-attack dribbling past Bangladeshi players before releasing an angled pass to the right for Manjali Kuamri Yonjan, who swept a low left-footed shot through opposition goalkeeper Rupna Chakma to make Nepal’s lead 3-0.

Nepal slowed down the tempo in the second half as Bangladesh enjoyed some possession and counter-attacks which were foiled by Nepali defense.

Bangladesh has three points after two matches compared to Nepal’s six points as both teams have qualified for the semifinals of the SAFF women’s championship won by India in four occasions.

According to head coach Hari Khadka, Nepal team wanted to score in the first 15 minutes to get an early edge in the match and dictate the match from there on. 

“It was our plan to try and score in the first 15 minutes. Every player did well for a complete performance today,” said Khadka.  He also added that the team slowed down the tempo in the second half. “Results matter in football. We won the match hence played with lower tempo in the second half after our first half performance.”

Bangladesh head coach Golam Rabbani Choton after the defeat termed Nepal as experienced and matured team. “Nepal is good in all aspects of the game. More than win or loss, we wanted to put up a good competitive match. We lost due to our own mistakes. Our defense was not able to carry the instructions in the match,” he said. Rabbani also added that Bhandari is South Asia’s best woman football player at the moment. “Sabitra (Bhandari) is South Asia’s best player. Nepal team is very balanced right now and deserves to win the championship,” said the Bangladeshi coach.

 
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