Nepal aim to avenge Bangladesh and win SAFF Women Championship title for first time

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Oct. 30: Nepal will face Bangladesh in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship at Dasarath Rangasala in Kathmandu on Wednesday. This marks the second time Nepal has met Bangladesh in the championship’s final; they lost to Bangladesh 1-3 in the last edition held in 2022 in Kathmandu.

The Nepali women's team has reached the finals five times and has lost each time. They were defeated by their southern neighbor, India, in four of those finals. In 2022, Bangladesh won their first title by overcoming Nepal.

With home advantage and in-form striker Sabitra Bhandari, Nepal has a chance to make history by winning the SAFF title for the first time. This is a golden opportunity that Nepal cannot afford to miss, as they seek to avenge their previous final loss and secure victory on home soil.

Coach Rajendra Tamang expressed confidence in the team’s preparation. “With only a win in mind, we will approach the final match. Our victory in the semi-final against India has boosted the players’ morale. My team will avoid repeating past mistakes in the title showdown,” he stated. "Though Bangladesh is a strong side, we have the support of our home fans, and we plan to use a strategic approach to counter them."

Captain Anjila Tumbapo Subba emphasized the importance of seizing this opportunity. “Nepal must win the title. The team has strong bonds, and if we don’t secure victory on Wednesday, it may take another five to ten years to rebuild another competitive team,” she said at the pre-match conference held at Dasarath Rangasala on Tuesday. “More than seeking revenge against Bangladesh, this is a significant opportunity for Nepal. We have learned a lot from our past final defeats. The current team is united and high in spirit, and we are confident about keeping the title at home.”

Sabitra Bhandari will be a key player for Nepal in the final. The prolific striker can set a record as the top scorer in the SAFF Women’s Championship, as she currently has 21 goals, tied with Anu Lama for the scorer's lead. Sabitra recently equalized against India in the semi-final, bringing her goal total to 21. She has scored 54 international goals for Nepal and aims to solidify her status as the leading scorer if she finds the net against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh coach Peter James Butler mentioned the importance of attitude and focus in the final match. “We will approach the game with the right mindset. It’s all about managing the occasion,” he said. Bangladesh’s captain, Sabina Khatun, noted that her team will strive to defend their title. “The match against the host will be exciting, and it will not be easy for either team.”

ANFA to sell tickets

After a ticket mishap during the semi-finals, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has decided to handle the ticket sales for the final match of the SAFF Women’s Championship directly. On Monday, they canceled their ticketing agreement with Mount Everest Sports and Events Pvt. Ltd due to the violation of the contract, which involved selling more tickets than the capacity of Dasarath Rangasala during the semi-final match.

The Dasarath Rangasala has a capacity of around 15,000, but Mount Everest sold 19,000 tickets for the Nepal vs. India match, leading to a strained security situation due to the overwhelming number of spectators.

ANFA had previously sold the ticketing rights for the SAFF Championship to Mount Everest for 8 million rupees. Tickets were being sold through the digital platform Khalti wallet, but ANFA has now halted online sales and will instead sell tickets in person for the final.

Tickets for the final match will be available for purchase starting at 8:00 AM on Wednesday at the following locations: Jawalakhel Sports Ground, ANFA Headquarters, and the Army Official Center at Bhadrakali.