Defending champions Bangladesh women's national football team take on Nepal women's national football team in the first semi-final of the SAFF Women's Championship on Wednesday afternoon at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, India.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30PM (Bangladesh time), with both teams aiming to secure a place in the final.
Bangladesh began their title defence with an impressive 4-2 victory over Maldives women's national football team. However, the girls in red and green suffered a setback in their second group-stage match, losing 3-0 to five-time champions India women's national football team and finishing as runners-up in Group B.
The defeat has placed the Bangladeshi squad under significant pressure. In the previous two editions of the SAFF Championship, Bangladesh had defeated India 3-0 and 3-1 in the group stage.
Having won the 2022 and 2024 tournaments unbeaten, Bangladesh are now pursuing a historic third consecutive title.
The team's preparations were further affected by the death of the mother of defender Sheuli Azim.
Following the news, Bangladesh cancelled Tuesday's on-field training session.
Head coach Peter Butler said he had encouraged the players to remain positive despite the difficult circumstances.
He said that the challenge for the team was to transform their sadness and the tragic circumstances into positive energy on the field.
Nepal, meanwhile, topped Group A after defeating Bhutan women's national football team 1-0 and Sri Lanka women's national football team 2-0 in the group stage.
Bangladesh squad - Rupna Chakma, Mile Akter, Swarna Rani Mandal, Halima Akter, Sheuli Azim, Afeida Khandakar , Surma Jannat, Kohati Kisku, Surovi Akter, Shamsunnahar (Sr.), Unnoti Khatun, Arpita Biswas, Momita Khatun, Maria Manda, Monika Chakma, Shaheda Akter Ripa, Ritu Porna Chakma, Umehla Marma, Sagarika, Tohura Khatun, Anika Rania Siddique, Sauravi Akanda Prity and Shamsunnahar (Jr.).
