KATHMANDU, Sept 19, 2022 (BSS)- Forward Krishna Rani Sarkar scored a 
brace as Bangladesh made history by winning the maiden title of 6th edition of 
SAFF Women's Championship beating host Nepal by 3-1 goals in the final held 
today (Monday) at Dasharath Rangasala Stadium here.

    With this win, Bangladesh has also broken five time SAFF champions 
India's one-sided dominance in the championship who were knocked out early by 
host Nepal in the semifinal. 

    It was another stunning performance by the Sabina and Co. in the final 
following the winning consistency all through the tournament. 

    Apart from Krishna Rani Sarkar two goals, substitute forward Shamsunnahar 
Jr supported her with a lone goal to give Bangladesh an early lead and 
eventually propel Bangladesh to win the SAFF title, breaking the hearts of 
the Nepalese who appeared their fifth finals since the championship started 
in 2010.

    Bangladesh girls passed the test of strength in title fight of the final. 
Both teams played enjoyable football throughout the match, but Nepal hardly 
failed to offer any resistance against Bangladesh in the game and finally 
Bangladesh created history by claiming the South Asian football's supremacy. 

    On a rain-soaked ground following heavy rain, substitute Shamsunnahar Jr. 
put the first blood for Bangladesh in the 14th minute with a superb top off a 
cross from Monika Chakma, four minutes after coming off the bench to replace 
experienced forward injured Sirat Jahan Swapna, who was earlier included in 
the best eleven ending all the speculation.

    Bangladesh further went ahead in the 42nd minute. This time Krishna Rani 
Sarkar brilliantly sent the ball to the net with a perfect left-footed 
placing shot from inside the box following a through-pass from her skipper 
Sabina Khatun.

    Bangladesh however came under pressure from Nepal after resumption. The 
hosts reduced the margin in the 69th minute courtesy's of Anita's lone goal.

    However, Krishna sealed the Bangladesh's victory with another perfect 
finishing in the 77th minute, silencing the some twenty thousand local crowds 
in the big bowl.

    Bangladesh earlier blanked the Maldives by 3-0 in their group opening 
match and thrashed Pakistan 6-0 in their second match and defeated defending 
champions India by 3-0 goals to booked their spot of semifinal as the group A 
champions.

    The girls in red and green confirmed their spot of semifinal after 
crushing Bhutan by 8-0 goals in the first semifinal.

    While earlier Nepal blanked Bhutan 4-0 in their group opening match and 
thrashed Sri Lanka 6-0 to secure semifinal as group B champions.

    After that, Nepal edged past holders India by 1-0 goal in the second 
semifinal to confirm their spot of final of the tournament. 

    Bangladesh women's team: Rupna Chakma, Etie Rani, Sathi Biswas, Masura 
Parvin, Mossammat Akhi Khatun, Shamsunnahar, Sheuli Azim, Nilufa Yesmin Nila, 
Anai Mogini, Maria Manda (vice-captain), Monika Chakma, Shamsunnahar, Sohagi 
Kisku, Sapna Rani, Ritu Porna Chakma, Sanjida Akhter, Marzia, Sabina Khatun 
(captain), Srimoti Krishnarani Sarkar, Mosammat Sirat Jahan Shopna, Tohura 
Khatun, Anuching Mogini and Sajeda Khatun.