Bangladesh’s women’s futsal team has made a resounding return to the title race at the SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Nepal. The match, held at Nonthaburi Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, saw Bangladesh’s goals shared between Sabina Khatun, Krishna Rani, and Lippi Akter, each contributing one decisive strike. With this win, coach Saeed Khodarahmi’s side now boasts seven points from three matches, strengthening their prospects of topping the league standings.
From the outset, Bangladesh adopted an aggressive and high-tempo style of play, pressing Nepal relentlessly. Within the first ten minutes, they created two clear scoring opportunities, though these early chances went unconverted. The breakthrough, however, came in the 14th minute when Krishna Rani, receiving the ball from Anita, delivered a perfectly weighted pass to team captain Sabina Khatun, who calmly slotted it past the goalkeeper to give Bangladesh the lead.
Before half-time, Krishna Rani doubled the advantage, weaving through Nepal’s defence in a solo effort to make it 2-0. The second half saw Bangladesh adopt a more cautious approach, inviting Nepal to probe for chances. Yet the Nepalese forwards were unable to breach the resolute defence, with goalkeeper Swapna Akter producing three remarkable saves to keep a clean sheet. The final goal came courtesy of Lippi Akter, who capitalised on a well-placed assist to seal the 3-0 victory.
The championship is being contested in a league format, with no final match; the team accumulating the most points at the end of the seven-team competition will be crowned champions. Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka in their fourth match on Wednesday, a clash that could prove decisive in their bid for the title.
Match Summary: Bangladesh vs Nepal
| Minute | Goal Scorer | Assist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14′ | Sabina Khatun | Krishna Rani | Opened the scoring |
| 29′ | Krishna Rani | Anita | Doubled the lead |
| 2nd Half | Lippi Akter | – | Sealed the 3-0 victory |
Bangladesh Team Points After Three Matches
| Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
Bangladesh’s blend of attacking flair, solid defensive organisation, and goalkeeping excellence has rejuvenated their title hopes. With crucial fixtures ahead, their performance against Sri Lanka may well determine whether they will lift the SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship this year.