Bangladesh reached the SAFF Women’s Championship final for the third straight time after a dramatic 2-1 win over Nepal in Goa on Wednesday.
The victory came during an emotional period for the team. Defender Sheuli Azim lost her mother, Basana Azim, on Tuesday morning after a kidney-related illness. The news left the Bangladesh camp in mourning.
The sadness grew further as Sheuli could not return home to see her mother one last time because of travel complications. Despite the difficult situation, the Bangladesh players found strength in each other and carried that spirit onto the field.
At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Bangladesh fell behind 1-0 against Nepal. However, the defending champions refused to give up.
Rituparna Chakma brought Bangladesh back into the match with a stunning Olympic goal. The equaliser changed the momentum and lifted the side.
Mosammat Sagorika then scored the winning goal to complete the comeback and secure a 2-1 victory.
The result sent Bangladesh into the final for the third tournament in a row. The two-time defending champions are now one step away from winning another SAFF Women’s Championship title.
