DHAKA, June 3, 2026 (BSS)- The first half of the Bangladesh-Nepal crucial semifinal of the SAFF Women's Championship ended in a 1-1 goal draw held at 
the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa today (Wednesday). 

Bangladesh made a shaky start in the match as the Nepalese side mounted a series of attacks on the Bangladesh defense from the very outset of the 
match.

The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Deepa Shahi delivered a corner kick that was converted into a goal by Gita Rana, giving Nepal the lead.

Bangladesh had an opportunity to level the score immediately after conceding but failed to capitalize due to poor finishing.

In the next minute, the girls in red and green came close to scoring but failed to convert the goal for lack of proper finishing.

Bangladesh nearly came to concede another goal in the 36th minute when a long-range effort from Preeti Rai struck the goalpost deflecting the hands of 
Bangladesh's goalkeeper Mile Akter.

Bangladesh, however, found the equalizer in a spectacular manner in the 45+1st minute as star footballer Ritu Porna Chakma sent the ball to the net 
via a corner kick, giving Nepalese goalkeeper no chance to react. 

Earlier, Bangladesh women's football team coach Peter Butler has made three changes to his starting lineup for the SAFF Women's Championship semifinal 
against Nepal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, India today (Wednesday).

Midfielder Afeida Khandaker, who was surprisingly left out of the starting eleven in the previous match against India, has returned to the lineup for 
the crucial semifinal.

Afida's inclusion means Surma Jannat has been dropped to the bench.Butler also made two other changes, bringing in forward Suravi Akanda Prity 
and midfielder Umehla Marma in place of Shamsunnahar Jr and Monika Chakma.

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.

Bangladesh XI: Mile Akter, Kohati Kisku, Afeida Khandakar, Shamsunnahar Sr, Surovi Akter Arfin, Maria Manda, Umehla Marma, Momita Khatun, Ritu Porna 
Chakma, Sauravi Akanda Prity and Anika Siddiqui.