NEPAL FC

🤝 Nepal🇳🇵 Receives Fair Play Award at SAFF Women's Championship 2026

Despite a heartbreaking exit in the semi-finals, the Nepal🇳🇵 Women's National Football Team leaves the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 with a well-deserved recognition for their conduct and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

Nepal has been awarded the Fair Play Award of the SAFF Women's Championship 2026, highlighting the team's discipline, respect for opponents, and commitment to the spirit of the game.

While the dream of reaching the final came to an end in dramatic fashion, this award serves as recognition of the professionalism and character shown by the players and staff throughout the competition.

A bittersweet ending to the campaign, but one that reflects the values Nepal🇳🇵 carried onto the pitch every time they represented the nation.

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🏆India🇮🇳 Ends Bangladesh🇧🇩's Reign to Reclaim SAFF Women's Championship Title

The Blue Tigresses are champions of South Asia once again.

India🇮🇳 defeated Bangladesh🇧🇩 3-1 in the final of the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 in Goa, ending Bangladesh🇧🇩's hopes of completing a historic hat-trick of titles and lifting their sixth SAFF Women's Championship crown.

Bangladesh🇧🇩 came into the tournament as defending champions after winning the 2022 and 2024 editions, defeating Nepal🇳🇵 in both finals. However, their road to the final this year was far more challenging. After finishing runners-up behind India🇮🇳 in the group stage, where they suffered a 3-0 defeat, they were forced to navigate a tough semi-final against Nepal🇳🇵 before booking their place in the title clash.

The final started as an evenly contested affair. India🇮🇳 broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute through Xaxa, but Bangladesh🇧🇩 responded immediately when star forward Ritu Porna Chakma found the equalizer in first-half stoppage time.

The second half belonged to India🇮🇳.

Just a minute after the restart, Nongrum restored India🇮🇳's lead in the 46th minute, exposing defensive weaknesses in the Bangladesh🇧🇩 backline. As Bangladesh🇧🇩 pushed forward in search of another equalizer, India🇮🇳 continued to create chances and control the game.

The decisive moment arrived in the 82nd minute when Kom found the net to make it 3-1, sealing the title for the hosts and ending Bangladesh🇧🇩's dream of a third consecutive championship.

India🇮🇳's triumph marks a significant return to the top after several years of inconsistent performances, while Bangladesh🇧🇩's defeat brings an end to one of the most remarkable rises in South Asian women's football.

Despite the result, both India🇮🇳 and Bangladesh🇧🇩 have established themselves as the region's leading forces, with both nations recently qualifying for and competing in AFC competitions at senior and youth levels.

South Asia has a new champion once again, and the Blue Tigresses are back on the throne.

💔HEARTBREAK AGAIN: Nepal🇳🇵's SAFF Dream Ends in the Semi-Finals

Another SAFF campaign, another painful chapter.

The Nepal🇳🇵 Women's National Football Team has bowed out of the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 after a devastating 2-1 semi-final defeat to Bangladesh🇧🇩, with a defensive lapse in the 90+3rd minute crushing hopes of a return to the final.

For the third consecutive SAFF tournament, it is Bangladesh🇧🇩 who have broken Nepali hearts. After defeating Nepal🇳🇵 in the finals of the 2022 and 2024 editions at Dashrath Stadium, Bangladesh🇧🇩 once again stood in Nepal🇳🇵's way, this time denying them even a place in the final.

Nepal🇳🇵 looked the better side for much of the first half and deservedly took the lead in the 22nd minute from a corner-kick situation. However, tactical adjustments and substitutions by Bangladesh🇧🇩 head coach Peter Buttler gradually shifted the momentum. Bangladesh 🇧🇩 increased the intensity, pressed higher, and eventually found an equalizer through a stunning Olimpico goal from Ritu Porna Chakma just before halftime.

The second half saw Nepal🇳🇵 pinned back for long spells. Rekha Poudel came agonizingly close to restoring the lead, only to see her effort strike the post. As the match wore on under the gruelling conditions, Nepal🇳🇵's energy levels appeared to drop while Bangladesh🇧🇩's relentless pressing continued.

Then came the fatal moment.

Deep into stoppage time, a miscommunication while dealing with an aerial ball saw Samikshya Ghimire and Bimala B.K collide just outside the penalty area. Bangladesh🇧🇩 capitalized instantly, and Samsunahar squeezed the ball past a desperate goal-line clearance attempt from Puja Rana to score the winner in the 90+3rd minute.

A single mistake. A tournament gone!

Nepal🇳🇵's long wait for a SAFF Women's Championship title continues, while Bangladesh🇧🇩 march into yet another final.

FT: Nepal 🇳🇵 1-2 🇧🇩 Bangladesh