Bangladesh booked their place in a third consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship final after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Nepal, inspired by a stunning olimpico from Rituporna Chakma after the Tigresses fell behind.
Nepal struck first through Gita Rana, but Rituporna’s brilliant goal directly from a corner kick restored parity just before the break, before an own goal in the fourth minute of added time sealed victory and sent the defending champions into another final.
Head coach Peter Butler made three changes to the side that lost to India in the final Group B fixture, recalling Afeida Khandaker while handing starts to Sauravi Akanda Prity and Umehla Marma. Shamsunnahar Jr and Monika Chakma began on the bench.
Nepal, who topped their group with two wins from as many matches, took the lead in the 23rd minute. Dipa Shahi’s corner was glanced on by Mile Akter, with the ball eventually falling to Gita Rana, who calmly lifted her effort over the Bangladesh defence and into the net.
Bangladesh pushed for an equaliser and found it in spectacular fashion on the stroke of halftime. Rituporna, the standout performer of the 2024 edition, curled a left-footed corner directly into the goal in the first minute of stoppage time. The Nepal goalkeeper managed only the slightest touch as the ball nestled into the net, producing a rare and memorable olimpico.
The second half remained finely balanced, with both sides battling for a place in the final. As extra time loomed, Bangladesh found the decisive breakthrough deep into stoppage time.
Substitute Shamsunnahar Jr made a fine run down the right inside the box before delivering a precise cross across goal for fellow substitute Sagorika in a tightly contested goalmouth battle. Sagorika timed her run well and got a touch under pressure from two Nepal defenders. A series of deflections and attempted clearances between the defenders and Sagorika ultimately sent the ball into the net. The official match report later credited it as an own goal by Nepal defender Preeti Rai.
The victory sends the Tigresses into the SAFF Women’s Championship final for the third successive edition. Having lifted the trophy in the previous two tournaments, Bangladesh are now one win away from completing a historic hat-trick of regional titles.
Bangladesh will face the winners of the second semi-final between India and Bhutan in Friday’s final.
The defending champions began their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Maldives before suffering a 3-0 defeat to India, progressing to the knockout stage as Group B runners-up. However, they produced a resilient display when it mattered most to keep their title defence firmly on track.
