Defending champions Bangladesh secured a place in the final of the 2024 SAFF Women's Championship with a commanding 7-1 victory over Bhutan in the first semifinal at Dashrath Rangasala Stadium in Nepal’s Kathmandu on Sunday. Forward Tohura Khatun stole the show with a spectacular hat-trick, leading her team to victory and keeping their unbeaten record intact in this year's tournament. Bangladesh, who also defeated Bhutan 8-0 in the last SAFF Women’s Championship in 2022, once again proved their dominance. The team now advances to the final on October 30, where they will face either five-time champions India or host Nepal, who compete in the second semifinal later today at the same venue. Bangladesh to play Bhutan, Nepal face India in SAFF semis Sunday In a game that saw Bangladesh dominate from start to finish, Tohura Khatun opened her scoring spree early and found the net three times. Captain Sabina Khatun also shone, adding two goals, while Ritu Porna Chakma and Masura Parvin contributed one goal each, giving Bangladesh a 5-1 lead by halftime. Ritu Porna Chakma opened the scoring for Bangladesh in the 7th minute with a skillful shot from outside the box, making it 1-0. Just eight minutes later, Tohura doubled the lead with a powerful long-distance strike (2-0). Captain Sabina Khatun extended the advantage in the 26th minute, tapping in a pass from Monika Chakma to make it 3-0. Tohura continued her stunning performance with a second goal in the 35th minute, maneuvering past a Bhutanese defender before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box (4-0). Sabina followed up with her second goal just two minutes later, placing the ball past the Bhutanese goalkeeper with ease (5-0). Bhutan managed a consolation goal in the 42nd minute, with forward Daki Lhazom scoring to make it 5-1 as the teams went into halftime. Tohura completed her hat-trick in the 58th minute, skillfully placing a shot from inside the box to bring the score to 6-1. With this performance, Tohura emerged as the tournament's third-highest scorer, with five goals, and was named Player of the Match. She dedicated her trophy to her former coach, Golam Rabbani Choton, saying, “This win and the hat-trick are both for him.” Defender Masura Parvin sealed the emphatic victory in the 72nd minute with a well-placed header from a corner kick, bringing the final score to 7-1. Bangladesh’s path to the final has been marked by impressive performances, including a 3-1 victory over five-time champions India in the group stage and a dramatic 1-1 draw with Pakistan, secured by Shamsunnahar Jr.’s last-minute equalizer. Bhutan’s semifinal journey included a dominant 13-0 win over the Maldives and a 4-1 victory against Sri Lanka, following a scoreless draw with Nepal in group play.    

Defending champions Bangladesh Women’s Football team will fly for Nepal on Tuesday to compete in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship 2024 to be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 30 with a hope to retain the regional soccer crown. Ahead of the ensuing SAFF Championship, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Monday announced a 23-member Bangladesh women’s football team that included nine team officials. Bangladesh, which was placed in three-team Group A of the seven -nation meet India and Pakistan while four-team Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan and the hosts Nepal. Holders Bangladesh, the champions of 2022, will start their campaign taking on Pakistan on October 20 at 5:45 pm at the Dashrath Rangasala (Stadium) in Kathmandu while they face five times champions India on October 23 at the same time and same venue. BFF member and Chairperson of the Committee for Women’s Football Mahfuza Akter Kiron, team manager Mahmuda Akter, Head Coach Pater James Butler, captain Sabina Khatun and vice-captain Maria Manda disclosed their expectation and preparations at a press conference at the BFF house on Monday. Captain Sabina Khatun said, “We will miss the services of our two key players Anthi Khatun and Sirat Jahan Swopna, we will try our best to fill the gap with new players .Moreover, we failed to play mentionable preparation matches this time, however, our target in to give best in the meet”. But, Vice-captain Maria sought blessing from the countrymen to achieve the goal. Bangladesh women’s team : Rupna Chakma, Masura Parvin, Afeida Khandakar, Sheuli Azim. Shamsunnahar Sr, Nilufa Yasmin Nila, Airin Khatun, Kohati Kisku, Monika Chakma, Maria Manda (vice captain), Sapna Rani, Sumaya Matsushima, Sanjida Akhter, Munki Akhter, Ritu Porna Chakma, Shaheda Akter Ripa, Sabina Khatun (captain), Tohura Khatun, Shamsun nahar jr, Krishna Rani Sarkar, Mst Yearzan, Mile Akter and Mst Sagorika.

Just ahead of SAFF Women’s Championship, Bangladeshi footballer Sanjida Akhter’s post – on her verified Facebook page – has gone viral. By 12:30pm today (September 19, 2022), the post has generated 16,000 reactions, 2,900 comments and 1,400 shares. Here’s what Sanjida Akhter posted Bangladesh is in the final of SAFF Women’s Championship for the second time. I played in the final for the first time in 2016. We lost against India. We came to the SAFF stage five times – were runner-up once, reached semi-finals three times, and left from group stage once. Alhamdulillah, we have a great rhythm on the field this time, our opponent in the final is host Nepal. Playing in the final as a host or against the host team is always exciting. This year’s final match is a bit different. After a long time, a new champion country will emerge. So, this time around, the final match is going to exciting for sure. Read: SAFF Women`s Championship Final Live Streaming 2022: When and where to watch Bangladesh Vs Nepal Final In 2003, Bangladesh became the best in South Asia with our men’s national football team. We still cherish that story. It is considered to be the brightest part of Bangladesh football’s history. This time, it’s our turn. Every member of our team is focused and geared up. We want to win it for all those fellow dreamers who are eager to embrace our dream, our aspiration. We want to repay that unflinching support. Even if we don’t raise the trophy on an open-roof champion bus, we want to win for the people who have helped us touch the green grass – ignoring society’s taunts. Our success may help us draw more Sabinas, Krishnas and Marias. I want to make the difficult path of young players’ a little easier. My house is near the hills. I have seen the indomitable spirit of our brothers and sisters in the hills, the struggles of the poor and hardworking people in Bangladeshi villages – who never give up. In the final, we won’t be on the field as individual footballers, there will be a squad of eleven fighters – many of whom have come this far after losing their father, with the last possession of their mother, selling off sister’s jewelry, many are the only source of income in their families. Read: SAFF Women's Champs: Hosts Nepal pose as final hurdle for rampant Sabina and Co We are used to life’s struggles. We will fight till the last minute for the “Best in South Asia” title.   Victory and defeat are in Allah’s hands. But believe us, we will not lack in our efforts, In-Sha-Allah. Please, pray for us.