Bangladesh women footballers repeated the history with clinching back-to-back titles of the SAFF Women's Championship on Wednesdayw at the Dasharat Rangashala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal.
The stage was same, the opponents were also same as t were in 2022 and on their way to winning the trophy, that time the Bangladesh defeated Nepal in the final following a big win against Bhutan in the semifinal and outplayed the mighty India in the group stage.
It’s just also the same episode 2024 when they won their maiden title, the regional biggest football trophy when this time also they defeated India in group stage, Bhutan in the semifinal and Nepal semifinal.
It’s always tough to keep up the momentum of victory to maintaining the successive time in an interval of two years but the Bangladesh women booters made it happen.
In between 2022 and 2024, there were so many changed in the team, when the team have been trained under a new English coach after Golam Rabbani Choton leaving the team after 14 years, some of the experienced and vital performers were not also with the team this time.
Meanwhile, the team also failed to play enough preparation matches.
The players had to familiar with the technique and tactics of the new coach while language was also a big factor to follow the command of the English coach. Leaving behind all the lacking the women in Red and Green triumph it successive time to repeat the history.
Sabina Khatun, the big name in the women football not only in Bangladesh but also in the SAFF region said that they won the title for successive second time, as they deserved and it was not fluke.
Sabina, when talking to the reporters in her reaction after winning the title, said, “Might be many of the peoples could say, first time it was just a stroke of luck or a coincidence but we proved that that was not happened ‘By Chance’, we deserved it in 2022 and make happen with skill and tentancy. After having broken the dominance of subcontinental powerhouses India and Nepal it proves that the triumph is not accident.”
Sabina, the most experienced women booter of Bangladesh team, who has huge contribution to bring bring the country’s women football this level and led the team from frong in all the success. Sabin also said, that their consistent good prformances over last two years also a big evidence that grabbed the deserving victory.
In a video message sent by Bangladesh Football Federation, where Sabina said, “The countrymen were eagerly waiting for the trophy, and the girls have proved that they can play good football because no one can say that we won the maiden trophy by chance. The girls deserved the trophy, and they achieved it.”
The captain expressed her joy in defending the title – “I really feel good because we were able to keep the honour of the countrymen intact, and that is a big satisfaction for us. The journey has been very tough because the team comprises young players who also played in front of full-house crowds.”
Maria Manda, depouty of the captain said that they dedicated the trophy to the countrymen.
Monica Chakma explained how their confidence grew following a 1-1 draw against Pakistan.
“We were confident that we could win the match because we progressed match by match to come to this stage. Before the final, we discussed that we would play our hearts out. We never gave up, despite Nepal levelling the margin, because there was ample time on our hands. We kept our cool and restored the lead,” said Monica.
The match-winning goal scorer Ritu Porna Chakma, who ultimately was adjudged the tournament's most valuable player said – “dream come true”.
“I really feel good… Our target was to play in the final, and we will now be returning home with the trophy,” Ritu said and thanked her family and the supporters for their encouragement.
Forward Tohura Khatun, who scored five goals in two matches including a hattrick was one of most influential in the team's success.
“I squandered a chance at the beginning but never thought that we would not win the final,” Tohura, who also acknowlededed Nepal's strong fight.
