Women Football

India’s East Bengal FC were crowned champions of the SAFF Women’s Club Championship after registering a commanding 3–0 victory over Nepal’s APF FC in the final at the Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwor.

Led by captain Fazila Ikwaput, East Bengal delivered a composed and clinical performance to lift the title. Fazila scored twice, while Shilky Devi Hnam added another to seal a dominant win in the championship decider.

East Bengal broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute following a defensive lapse from APF. A lack of coordination between goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar and defender Gita Rana allowed Fazila to capitalise, with her effort from inside the penalty area finding its way into the net.

The Indian side doubled their advantage in the 35th minute through Shilky Devi. Sarita Yumnam’s corner was met by Asha Lata, whose headed assist was finished by Shilky with a precise header to extend East Bengal’s lead.

APF struggled to build sustained attacking momentum in the first half and found opportunities hard to come by. Their closest chance came in injury time when Mina Deuwa’s header, following a cross from Anita Basnet, narrowly missed the target.

East Bengal struck again early in the second half, with Fazila scoring her second of the match. Although goalkeeper Anjana got a touch to the shot, she was unable to gather the ball cleanly, allowing it to cross the line.

APF pushed forward in search of a response in the latter stages of the match but were unable to break through East Bengal’s disciplined defence. Despite remaining unbeaten and not conceding a single goal in the group stage, APF were unable to replicate that defensive solidity in the final.

East Bengal, who went on to lift the title without losing a match in the tournament, capped off an impressive campaign by claiming the SAFF Women’s Club Championship trophy.

Armed Police Force (APF) FC and India’s East Bengal FC settled for a goalless draw in their final group-stage encounter of the SAFF Women’s Club Championship at the Dasharath Stadium on Monday.

With both teams already assured of a place in the final, the encounter had no impact on the standings and was played largely as a tune-up ahead of the title decider. The draw meant the league table remained unchanged.

APF opted to rotate their squad, resting key players including Renuka Nagarkote, Saru Limbu and Anita KC, who were later introduced after the break. Both sides enjoyed spells of possession and created half-chances, but clear-cut opportunities were limited as defensive discipline prevailed.

APF concluded the group phase with eight points from four matches, registering two wins and two draws. East Bengal finished on top of the table with ten points after collecting three wins and one draw.

The Nepali champions had opened their campaign with an emphatic 4–0 victory over Bangladesh’s Nasrin Sports Academy before being held by Bhutan’s Transport United FC. They later edged past Pakistan’s Karachi City FC by a solitary goal.

East Bengal, on the other hand, recorded commanding victories against Transport United FC (4–0), Karachi City FC (2–0) and Nasrin Sports Academy (7–0) to underline their dominance in the league stage. Impressively, neither side has conceded a goal so far in the competition.

Nepal’s league champions Armed Police Force (APF) FC have moved a step closer to securing a place in the final of the ongoing SAFF Women’s Club Championship at the Dasharath Stadium.

APF FC defeated Pakistan’s Karachi City FC 1–0 on Sunday to register their second win of the tournament and climb to the top of the standings with seven points.

APF began their campaign with a commanding 4–0 victory over Nasir Sports Academy before being held to a goalless draw by Bhutan’s Transport United FC in their second match.

The decisive goal against Karachi City FC came in the 51st minute through Rashmi Kumari Ghising. Rashmi headed home from close range after a well-delivered cross from Renuka Nagarkote, giving APF a crucial lead.

Rashmi came close to extending the advantage on multiple occasions. In the 65th minute, she missed a one-on-one opportunity as her effort went narrowly wide of the post, while another attempt in the 70th minute also failed to find the target.

With this result, APF FC strengthened their position at the top of the table and moved closer to qualifying for the final of the championship.

Indian club East Bengal FC continued their impressive run in the ongoing SAFF Women’s Club Championship with a second straight victory at the Dasharath Stadium on Saturday.

East Bengal defeated Pakistan’s Karachi City FC 2–0 to move to the top of the standings with six points from two matches. Sulanjana Raul opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Risti Nazira doubled the lead in the 49th minute to seal the win for the Kolkata-based side.

In the day’s second match, Nepal’s league champions Armed Police Force (APF) FC were held to a goalless draw by Bhutan’s Transport United FC. Despite creating several chances, APF were unable to find the breakthrough and had to settle for a point.

With the results, East Bengal FC sit at the top of the table with six points, while APF FC are in second place with four points.

The championship action continues on Sunday, when APF FC take on Karachi City FC, while Maldives’ Nasrin Sports Academy face East Bengal FC.

The inaugural Vatsalya SAFF Women's Club Championship commenced with a commanding performance from the hosts as Nepal's APF Football Club secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Bangladesh's Nasrin Sports Academy in the tournament's second match at Dasharath Stadium on Friday.

The match was officially inaugurated by Minister for Youth and Sports, Bablu Gupta, who handed over the match ball to the officials.

APF FC took control of the game, with Rashmi Kumari Ghising opening the scoring in the 38th minute. The hosts solidified their lead in the second half, with Mina Deuba finding the net in the 70th minute. Ghising struck again in the 80th minute to complete her brace, and Deuba sealed the emphatic win with a second goal in stoppage time (90+2 minutes).

The tournament, organized by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), features the league-winning women’s clubs from five SAFF-affiliated nations: APF Football Club (Nepal), East Bengal FC (India), Nasrin Sports Academy (Bangladesh), Transport United Ladies FC (Bhutan), and Karachi City FC (Pakistan). The competition will follow a single round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the final scheduled for December 20.

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) bid farewell to the national women’s team set to travel to Indonesia for upcoming international friendlies.

The farewell program was held at Hotel Crowne Imperial, where ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai and CEO Indraman Tuladhar extended their best wishes to the squad.

Addressing the ceremony, General Secretary Rai encouraged the players to give their best performance and represent the nation with pride.

Nepal will face Indonesia on November 26 before playing Chinese Taipei on December 2.

Squad: Anjila Tumbapo Subba, Anjana Rana Magar, Usha Nath, Hira Kumari Bhujel, Bimala BK, Samiksha Ghimire, Sajani Thokar, Man Maya Damai, Puja Rana, Pratiksha Chaudhary, Nisha Thokar, Renuka Nagarkote, Preeti Rai, Saraswati Hamal, Dipa Shahi, Saru Limbu, Sabita Rana Magar, Anita Basnet, Meena Deuba, Rekha Poudel, Sabitra Bhandari, Rashmi Kumari Ghising, Purnima Rai

Officials: Sarila Shrestha Maleku (Head of Delegation), Nabin Neupane (Head Coach), Suresh Shah (Team Manager), Bhagwati Thapa (Assistant Coach), Raj Kumar KC (GK Coach), Bikash Gurung (Kit Manager), Shila Giri (Physiotherapist), Yujal Shrestha (Official), Muna Karki (Media officer)