ANFA: All Nepal Football Association

2019-03-22

India crushes Nepal to lift record fifth SAFF Women's title

Yujal Shrestha, ANFA Media

March 22, 2019 - India have beaten Nepal 3-1 at the Sahid Stadium in Biratnagar to take their fifth consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship title today.

Nepal went into half-time level after Sabitra Bhandari had exquisitely equalized Dalima’s opener for India but after the interval had to concede to their opponent’s genius, as Grace Dangmei and Anju Tamang both etched their names on the scoresheet.

Dalima Chhibber (26th) had put India ahead with a rocket in the first half but that lead didn’t last long, as Sabitra Bhandari found a header for the equalizer seven minutes later.

Nepal defender Hira Kumari Bhujel fouled the Indian striker Grace Dangmei 30 yards out in the left flank. Dalima Chhibber got up to send the resulting free kick over the wall and into the top right corner.

Grace Dangmei’s 63rd minute sensational run with the ball into box beating Nepal goalkeeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba put India back in the lead and Anju Tamang shot in the 78th minute made sure the title goes the way to the neighboring side.

India's Dalima Chhibber, Indhumathi Kathiresan and Nepal's Sabitra Bhandari were the winners of the MVP and Top Scorer awards respectively during the championship.

Kathiresan and Bhandari both recorded four goals in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh bagged the fair-play award.

2019-03-20

India set final date with hosts Nepal

Yujal Shrestha, ANFA Media

March 20, 2019 - India for the fifth time booked their place in the SAFF Women’s Championship final and find a meeting with Nepal after the defending champion proved too strong for Bangladesh at Sahid Rangshala today.

Indumathi Kathiresan scored twice while Dalima Chhibber and Manisha got on the scresheet too.

India took the lead with 17th minutes gone when Sanju’s corner got spilled by the Bangladeshi custodian, with Dalima Chhibber arriving at pace to direct the ball into the post.

India doubled their advantage after five minute with Indumathi Kathiresan.

Kathiresan scored a brace for India but Sanju was brilliant all game in making the match allowing two goals.

Indumathi Kathiresan netted her second later in 37th minute while Manisha in the 90+2’ minute sealed a 4-0 victory.

2019-03-20

Nepal beat Sri Lanka 4-0 to enter final

Yujal Shrestha, ANFA Media

March 20, 2019 - Nepal produced an empathic second half display as Punam Jargha Magar and Rekha Poudel scored their first international goal in thumping 4-0 win over Sri Lanka in the first SAFF Women’s Championship semifinal.

Nepal will face the winner of the second semifinal between India and Bangladesh later in the day.

Nepal started better, creating the openings in 11th minute with Skipper Niru Thapa going close from Anita Basnet’s left corner, for her top bar header to miss the target.

Nepal frontlines all combined to score a simply brilliant goal before just four minutes to half time.

Gita Rana found Skipper Niru Thapa with a delicious free kick and the skipper, sprinkled in a brilliant bit of pass-work with an overhead kick intending to find Sabitra Bhandari a header, but Punam Jargha Magar unsurprisingly applied the finish in the 42nd minute of the match.

Nepal desperately searched for a goal earlier in the first half but their efforts were in vain.

Anita Basnet doubled the home side’s lead with a smart finish from Rekha Poudel’s pass in the 73rd minute.

In the 82nd minute, Sabitra Bhandari provided the third finish for flowing Nepal.

Anita Basnet’s delivery from the right flank was headed in at the near post by Sabitra Bhandari.

Rekha Poudel in the 86th minute sealed the win as Nepal made it back-back victories in the championship without conceding a goal.

2019-03-17

India ousted Sri Lanka 5-0; Nepal face Sri Lanka in semis

Yujal Shrestha, ANFA Media

March 17, 2019 - India ousted Sri Lanka 5-0 in their last group match of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2019 held today in Biratnagar.

India and Sri Lanka had already booked their berth in the last four from Group ‘B’.

Grace Dangmei opened the scoring for India in the 4th minute before Sandhya Ranganathan doubled their advantage.

Dangmei who was left unmarked found a header off Sanju’s rebound.

Sandhya Ranganathan in 7th minute grabbed second goal for India with a lovely finish. But that was a product of Sanju assist to spilt backline, putting the ball between three defenders.

In 36th minute, Sanju again led the charge feeding Indumathi Kathiresan with the ball after making long run from the left.

The fourth goal for India came from a penalty in the 44th minute after they were awarded a penalty after Sri Lankan defender Rushani Gunawardana handled the ball inside the box. Sangita Basfore, who stepped in for the kick made no mistake in the chance and led India 4-0.

Three minutes later, Ratanbala Devi Nongmaithem netted the fifth for India.

India will now face Bangladesh while Nepal will take on Sri Lanka in the semifinals of the championship on March 20.