It is said that history repeats itself in football, and this repetition can also be made to suit one's own taste. Nepal has got a similar opportunity for revenge in the Women's SAFF Championship. Bangladesh had won the finals of the last two editions and had defeated Nepal at home on both occasions. 

Now Nepal will face Bangladesh in the first semi-final of this tournament and can forget all its pain by winning it. This exciting equation has been prepared after five-time winners India defeated Bangladesh 3-0 in the last league match. In India's victory at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Priya Sasa, Linda Kom and Malvika scored the goals. Konda's goal was scored from a penalty. 

With this, India won both the matches of the league stage and remained at the top. Bangladesh remained in second place with three points. The challenge of the other team in the group, Maldives, has already ended. India will face Bhutan in the second semi-final. Coach Navin Neupane claimed that it is not good for his team to face a better team in the semi-finals as both India and Bangladesh are strong and equal opponents.

He admitted that the team has not been scoring enough goals recently and said, "The way we have played in the league stage, it will definitely not be enough. We will have to increase the number of goals. I think the team is moving in this direction now." Nepal reached the semi-finals as the winners of Group 'A'. Nepal won both its matches and topped the table with a maximum of 6 points from two matches. Nepal also kept a 'clean sheet' in both matches. Bhutan, on the other hand, finished second with three points and with Nepal's second win, this team also automatically reached the semi-finals. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, lost both matches and remained with zero points and their challenge in the tournament is over.

Rashmi's goal after seven matches

Rashmikumari Ghising opened the scoring account in the second minute of injury time of the first half. Her goal came after a series of attacks failed miserably. Unmarked Rashmi scored easily on a pass from Saru Limbu. This was her fifth goal for Nepal. She has regained her goal-scoring form after seven matches. While appearing with the media after the match, coach Neupane also praised her

. His analysis was that Nepal was able to build the attack it needed when it came to the second match.

He said, ‘Our performance today was better than the first match. Of course, we haven’t scored many goals, a win is a win. We were able to create many scoring opportunities in today’s match. I am happy for this. Now our players have adapted to the Goa weather. I was impressed by Rashmi and Birsna Chaudhary’s performance. And I would also like to congratulate Renuka for her first goal.’

Debut goal dedicated to her husband

This match was special for Renu, who has captained Nepal in 20 matches, because she scored her first international goal. Her chip shot from outside the penalty area in the 60th minute was a beautiful goal. It was largely unexpected for the Sri Lankan player but expected for Renuka. She had scored a few goals from similar positions in domestic football recently.

‘I was expecting a goal like this, so I am naturally happy. Whatever happens, a day is needed, and today I have that opportunity. I want to dedicate this goal to my husband,’ she said. Renuka, who can be considered a member of the second generation of Nepali women’s football, is the most experienced player in the current national team. Renuka, who got the opportunity to debut for Nepal in 2010, had to wait for her 62nd match for her first goal.

This opportunity was dedicated to Renuka because her husband kept asking her when she would score her first goal. Her husband Abhishek Lama himself has been a fan of Renuka’s game. Central midfielder Birsna Chaudhary made her debut in this match. She entered the field as a substitute in the second half in place of Deepa Shahi.

After the match, Birsana said, ‘I am naturally happy to debut for Nepal. I feel that I still have to work hard. The reason for this is that playing for the national team is not like playing in an age group. Since I have been in the national team, I was fully confident that I would play for Nepal one day or the other. I did not feel like I had to wait for my debut.’