Bangladesh defeated hosts Nepal to retain the title of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship on Wednesday.    
Defending champions Bangladesh defeated Nepal 2-1 in the final match played under lights at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureswar. Two years ago, Bangladesh had defeated Nepal 3-1 to win the championship for the first time. 

On Wednesday, all the three goals were scored in the second half after the first half ended in a goalless draw. Bangladesh took the lead in the 52nd minute, with Monica Chakma opening the scoresheet. However, the lead did not last long, as Nepal's Amisha Karki made it 1-1 in the 56th minute.    
Much to the disappointment to the home crowd, Ritu Porna Chokma scored in the 81st minute as her cross into the box from the left flank beat Nepal’s goalkeeper to make it 2-1 for the visitors. Hosts Nepal failed to exert any pressure in the remaining 9 minutes and added 5 minutes for an equalizer.  
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who watched the final, also gave away the championship trophy and medals to the winners and runner-up.    

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakashman Singh, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Minister for Youth and Sports Minister Tejulal Chaudhary, ANFA President Pankaj Nembang, were among the dignitaries present at the full-house stadium to watch the final match.    
This is the sixth time that Nepal lost the final of SAFF Championship, including four times to India and two times to Bangladesh. India has won the championship five times while Bangladesh made it two in a row, after winning in 2022.    
Earlier, hosts Nepal made it to the final after defeating five-time champions India 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the semi-final. Bangladesh eased to the finals following a 7-1 demolition of Bhutan. -- RSS