Bangladesh has advanced to the semifinals of the SAFF Women’s Championship after an impressive 3-1 victory over India in their second Group A match in Kathmandu, Nepal. With this win, Bangladesh topped the group with four points from two games, while India finished as the runners-up with three points. Pakistan, with just one point, has been eliminated from the tournament.
Heading into the match, Bangladesh needed just a draw to secure their semifinal spot, but they delivered a dominant performance, securing a decisive win. Despite recent tensions between senior players and the coach, the team’s performance on the field was flawless.
Bangladesh previously defeated India 3-0 in the group stages in 2022, and once again, they found the back of India’s net three times. Tohura Khatun scored twice, while Afida Khandakar added one. India’s captain, Bala Devi, scored the lone goal for her team. All four goals were netted in the first half. 
Coach Peter Butler made two key changes to the starting lineup, bringing in Maria Manda and Masura Parveen. The first goal came in the 15th minute when Sabina Khatun’s corner kick was mishandled by the Indian goalkeeper, allowing Afida Khandakar to score. Bangladesh quickly followed up with another goal in the 28th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by India. Tohura Khatun added her second of the match in the 42nd minute with a powerful strike.
India managed to pull one back just before halftime through Bala Devi, but they couldn’t break Bangladesh’s defense in the second half. Goalkeeper Rupna Chakma’s stellar performance kept India from scoring again, ensuring a 3-1 victory for Bangladesh.
The win secures Bangladesh’s place in the semifinals as group champions, while India will join them as runners-up.
