Kathmandu: Nepal advanced to the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship after defeating India 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Sunday at Dasharath Stadium. The semifinal match ended in a 1-1 draw after regular time, marked by controversial officiating.
Substitute goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar played a crucial role, saving two penalties, including a key attempt from India’s captain Asha Lata Devi, who hit the post with her first kick. Nepal’s four shooters—Sabitra Bhandari, Gita Rana, Sabita Rana Magar, and Amisha Karki—converted their penalties successfully.
The match was intense from the start and became contentious when Nepal’s Rekha Poudel received a red card in the 50th minute. The decision by assistant referee Choden Chhiring was met with uproar from the home crowd, who argued that Poudel had not committed a foul. Video replays suggested she was unfairly penalized.
Despite being down a player, India took the lead in the 62nd minute with a goal from Sangeeta Basfour. However, Preeti Rai quickly equalized for Nepal, although the goal was initially disallowed, causing further discontent among the fans. After a lengthy delay to address the disputes, Sabitra Bhandari scored the equalizer for Nepal in the 66th minute.
Following the penalty shootout, Nepal will face defending champions Bangladesh in the final. Bangladesh secured their spot with a dominant 7-1 victory over Bhutan in the other semifinal. This marks Nepal’s fifth appearance in the SAFF Women’s Championship final, where they have yet to secure a title. Meanwhile, India, the tournament’s most successful team, was eliminated amid the controversial circumstances.