Bangladesh’s dream of playing in the final of the first-ever SAFF Women’s Football Championship was dashed as an inspired Nepal thumped the hosts 3–0 in the second semi-final at the Cox’s Bazar stadium on Tuesday.
Nepal’s striking duo of Jamuna Gurang and Anulama kept their opponents busy creating frequent chances throughout the game and the Himalayan girls outclassed their opponents in all the departments on the pitch. Jamuna scored a brace while her partner Anulama added another to confirm the elimination of the home team.
The difference of mental strength became clearer as the match progressed. The hosts were defending well until a brilliant header by Jamuna from an equally impressive Anulama cross from outside the penalty area put Nepal ahead in the 16th minute.
The visitors, however, went to breather with the lone goal lead as Jamuna and Anulama’s several long-range attempts were cancelled out by Bangladeshi goalkeeper Sabina Akter.
The home team became desperate to equalise in the second half and opted for an all-out strategy which gave the Nepalese a scoring opportunity.
The guest forwards did not make any mistake to capitalise the chance. Anulama who scored a hat-trick in her every previous appearances of the tournament, took her goals tally to 11 tapping in a rebound after her shot on target was blocked by the rival keeper Sabina.
Jamuna Gurung, scored her second and games third goal in the 75th minute to seal the fate of the match. She is just one goal behind her team-mate Anulama registering 10 in the meet.
Bangladeshi striker Sabina Khatun, who scored three goals in the competition, was declared the best player of her side after the end of the match.
