Defending champions Bangladesh secured a dominant 3-1 victory over five-time champions India in their final Group A match of the 2024 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship at Dashrath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu on Wednesday, earning their place in the semifinals. This win marked Bangladesh's second consecutive triumph over India in the SAFF Women's Championship, following their 3-0 victory in the 2022 edition, also in Kathmandu. Bangladesh, undefeated in Group A, will now face the runners-up of Group B in the first semifinal on October 27. Despite the 3-1 loss, India advanced to the semifinals as Group A runners-up, thanks to their 5-2 win against arch-rivals Pakistan in the tournament opener. India will meet the Group B champions in the other semifinal, also on October 27. The final is scheduled for October 30. Bangladesh dominated the first half against India, taking a 3-1 lead. Forward Tohura Khatun was the star of the match, scoring twice, while defender Afeida Khandoker added a goal for the defending champions. India's captain, Bala Devi, netted a consolation goal for her team. Bangladesh took the lead in the 18th minute when Afeida Khandoker scored with a well-placed shot over the Indian goalkeeper, capitalizing on a corner kick (1-0). Tohura Khatun doubled the lead in the 29th minute, tapping in from close range after a precise cross from Ritu Porna Chakma (2-0). Tohura then added her second goal in the 42nd minute with a powerful shot from outside the box, again assisted by Ritu Porna (3-0). For her outstanding performance, Tohura was named Player of the Match. India's frustration was evident after trailing 0-3, but captain Bala Devi managed to score a face-saving goal in the 44th minute with a header from close range, following a cross from Manisha (3-1). AFC U-17 Asian Cup: Bangladesh take on Philippines in 2nd group match Wednesday Bangladesh's defense, led by goalkeeper Rupna Chakma, held firm, as Chakma made several key saves to deny India's attempts at a comeback. The victory was met with praise from football fans, as Bangladesh continues its quest to defend their SAFF title.      

Sabina, who led the team in snatching its maiden win in the seven-nation SAFF Women's Championship, was reminiscing the early days of her career today at a reception arranged by Satkhira district administration. Sabina and her mother Momtaz Begum were honoured at the programme with crests and a Tk 1 lakh reward for bringing glory to the nation and the district. An elated Sabina said, “I had no Idea people love women’s football so much in Bangladesh.” Also read: SAFF women champs: Skipper Sabina given hero's welcome on return to Satkhira Sabina mentioned her struggles as a woman footballer over the last 12 years. “The path was not easy but women have earned their position today through hard work,” she said. Sabina requested the district administration to expand the road in front of her house in Satkhira city’s Sabujbagh area, and to arrange a job for her younger sister. Satkhira Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Humayun Kabir, who chaired the programme, assured assistance in this regard. He said another player from the SAFF Champion team, defender Masura Parvin, will get the same kind of reception from the district administration upon her arrival. Also read: Sabina wants to keep winning trophies playing entertaining football Earlier on Friday, Sabina was given a hero's welcome on return to her hometown Satkhira. Thousands of people flooded the streets as she later toured Satkhira city in a mini-truck decorated with flags, banners and flowers.

The entire nation was anticipating the arrival of its national heroes after they won the SAFF Women's Championship on Monday evening. An open-top bus was prepared to greet them. The tigresses finally touched down at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 1:50 pm today. The SAFF Championship-winning women footballers were greeted with flowers by Zahid Hasan Russell, State Minister for Youth and Sports, and other dignitaries. The scheduled program underwent some adjustments. The press conference was called off due to a huge crowd and chaos. However, Sabina Khatun, captain of the Bangladesh women's football team, talked to the media when they exited Dhaka airport’s VIP lounge. Sabina praised Bangladesh Football Federation for supporting them and expressed gratitude for how the entire nation backed women's football. Read: SAFF Champion Tigresses return home "Thank you very much, everyone. We are very grateful for being received so warmly. I am very grateful to the state minister and all the officials of the Football Federation. We are ecstatic that you love football so much. Thank you all. Please pray for us. And this trophy belongs to the 16 crore …18 crore people of Bangladesh.” When asked, "What is your next target?”, Sabina said, “Since we made this achievement in South Asia, now we will have to figure out how to move forward.”

Bangladesh women's team defeated Nepal 3-1 in the tournament's 6th edition final on September 19 to win their first-ever SAFF Championship title. The entire nation rejoiced after Tigresses’ historic victory on Monday evening. Dhaka is now waiting for the return of the national heroes as BFF (Bangladesh Football Federation) prepares for a celebration. An open-deck BRTC bus is being prepared to greet the national heroes. Bangladesh defeated Nepal in the championship match, with Shamsunnahar scoring the game's first goal with a superb lobby from the near post in the 13th minute. Krishna Rani Sarkar scored the final two goals for Bangladesh in the 42nd and 77th minutes, respectively, ensuring the nation's first SAFF Women's Championship title. Read: SAFF Women's championship: No congratulatory post from BFF draws netizens' criticism Many Bangladeshi supporters partied late into the night. Praises have poured in for Sabina, Krishna, Sanjida, Rupna, and the rest of the team on social media platforms. Many national dignitaries have praised the women's team for this remarkable accomplishment.

Bangladesh's dream came true as the women's football team emerged as the new champions in the seven-nation SAFF Women's Championship, living up to their promise to keep their all-win record beating four-time finalists and hosts Nepal  for the first time in the final at the Dasharath Stadium (Rangasala) in Kathmandu Monday evening. This is the first time that the South Asian championship has been won by any country other than India, in the 6th edition of the tournament. The opening goal came in the 14th minute, as substitute Shamsunnahar smartly flicked home a finish to meet a cross from the right. Nepal were mostly restricted to long shots from outside the box, but a clever free kick had to be saved by goalkeeper Rupna Chakma on the stretch, and the ensuing corner saw the teams almost level, with a goalmouth melee ending with Nepal hitting the post. The hosts were made to pay in the 42nd minute, as captain Sabina showed great vision to release Krishna Rani Sarkar, who unleashed an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net  that gave the Nepal keeper no chance. Shamsunnahar replaced regular striker Shopna minutes before scoring, who had to go off with an injury.  Read: “Want to win SAFF Women’s Championship, want to repay your support” Nepal came back strong in the second half, and got rewarded for their pressure in the 70th minute, as Anita Basnet reduced the margin with a driving shot from the right of the box.  Incidentally it was the first and only goal Bangladesh would concede in the meet. Bangladesh restored their lead through Krishna Rani Sarkar just 6 minutes later, latching on to a through ball and finishing assuredly to ensure Bangladesh wouldn't be disappointed.  There were some nervous moments before the final whistle but when it came, the Bangladesh girls threw themselves on the field in triumph, and no one can begrudge them this success, after their steady progress in the women's game through the age groups - many of this team have been part of that steady upward graph since the middle of the last decade.