Nepal look to end Bangladesh’s final curse

The Nepali women’s football team, which has reached the final six times out of seven editions held so far and lost each time, was beaten by Bangladesh in the finals of the last two editions. This time, Nepal is determined to avenge those defeats.

Nepal (Group A winners) will face Bangladesh (Group B runners-up) in the first semifinal on Wednesday at 4:15 PM at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.

Nepal, placed in a relatively easier group, secured their semifinal spot by defeating Bhutan 1–0 and Sri Lanka 2–0. Though Nepal scored just 3 goals in the group stage, they did manage to keep a clean sheet throughout.

For Bangladesh, two-time defending champions, the road to the semifinal was far from the dominant displays of previous editions. Although they defeated the Maldives in their opening match, the scoreline was a shaky 4–2. In their second group game, they lost 3–0 to hosts India, making it to the semis only as Group B runners-up. Bangladesh conceded goals in both group matches.

The other semifinal will be between India and Bhutan. While Bhutan appears to be an easy opponent for India, all eyes are on the first semifinal between Nepal and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh have not looked their natural selves in this tournament. Nepal’s head coach Nabin Neupane also acknowledged that Bangladesh haven’t shown their old form, but noted that they remain a strong side. Coach Neupane said their goal is to win the semifinal and reach the final.

“We are ready to give Bangladesh a tough fight. The team’s morale is high since Preeti Rai joined us. Since the weather in Cambodia and here is similar, it won’t be much of an adjustment for her,” Neupane told journalists post-training on Tuesday. “We have made a plan, and we will play accordingly.”

Nepal has reached the SAFF Women’s Championship final six out of seven times but has never won the title, always finishing as runners-up. Bangladesh, who only reached the final once in the first five editions (finishing as runners-up), then won back-to-back titles in the last two editions — both times beating Nepal in Kathmandu.

Nepal has not beaten Bangladesh in recent times, and Bangladesh has been the main obstacle to Nepal’s title ambitions. So this time, Nepal aims to avenge both those final defeats and reach the final once again. However, with regular captain and goal scorer Savitra Bhandari Samba and Sabita Rana Magar absent from the squad in Goa, this match will be Nepal’s true test.

Midfielder Preeti Rai’s arrival, currently playing in the Cambodian league, could be a boost for Nepal. She missed Nepal’s first two group matches and only arrived in Goa two days ago.

“Preeti is a capable player. Her ability to supply the ball is an asset. We need to create chances and make use of them. We must stay organised in defence and then grab the opportunities we get on the attack,” said Coach Neupane.

Nepal vs Bangladesh head-to-head

Out of 13 matches played between Nepal and Bangladesh, Nepal has won 6 and 5 have ended in draws. Bangladesh has won only 2 matches, and both wins came in the SAFF Women’s Championship finals in 2022 and 2024.

Nepal has not beaten Bangladesh in regular time since 2021. In September 2021, Nepal defeated Bangladesh 2–1 in a friendly at Dasarath Rangasala, and another friendly ended goalless. Then in the 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship final, Nepal lost 3–1 to Bangladesh.

In July 2023, two friendlies in Dhaka ended in draws, though Nepal won the penalty shootout held after the second match to determine the winner. Nepal then drew 1–1 with Bangladesh at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in September 2023. Most recently, in the October 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship final in Kathmandu, Nepal lost again to Bangladesh by 2-1.

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