Subas Humagain, Kathmandu
Defending champion Bangladesh have beaten India 3-1 in the final group stage match of SAFF Women’s Championship 2024. The win meant Bangladesh has reached the semi-finals as the top team in Group A.

This was Bangladesh’s first win of the tournament, giving them 4 points from 2 matches. India finished second in the group with 3 points, while Pakistan ended up with 1 point and was eliminated from the group stage.
All the goals of the match were scored in the first half. Tohura Khatun and Afida Khandakar each scored twice for Bangladesh, while Bala Devi scored for India before halftime.
Bangladesh took advantage early in the game but missed some chances before goalkeeping error from India helped them into the lead. Their first goal came in the 18th minute when Afida Khandakar, which was created from a corner taken by captain Sabina Khatun. In the 29th minute, Tohura scored again after Indian goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu failed to stop a cross.
India had a chance to score in the 35th minute, but goalkeeper Rupna Chakma stopped Bala Devi’s attempt. India hit the post in the 38th minute with a free kick from Manisha.
Tohura scored an excellent goal near the end of the first half to make it 3-0, but less than a minute later, Bala Devi scored for India after a cross from Dalima Chhibbar.
In the second half, Bangladesh’s goalkeeper Rupna made several saves to keep India’s scoring chances at bay. The game ended 3-1 in favor of Bangladesh.
The last match of Group B will take place on Thursday. Bhutan will play Maldives at 1:30 PM, followed by Nepal against Sri Lanka at 5:30 PM. Nepal and Bhutan both have 4 points, but Nepal is ahead on goal difference. Sri Lanka has 3 points, and Maldives has none. The group winner will face India in the semi-finals, while the runner-up will play against Bangladesh.