When was the last time a sporting achievement in Bangladesh was celebrated in an open-top bus? If you look for the answer to this question, you will catch before your eyes the image of Sanjida Akhtar-Krishna Rani Sarkar holding the trophy. By winning the 2022 SAF Championship, the girls created history in the country’s football. The occasion of that joyous journey from the airport on the way to Bafuffe Bhavan is once again shaking hands in front of the girls. Once again Sabina Khatun’s team in the final of SAFF Championship. What will happen again open-top bus celebration?
Sanjeeda Akhter gave a message of hope in response to this question. Because of one of his posts, Bafufe arranged the open-top bus. Sanjida spoke of hope this time too. The winger hopes to repeat the success of the previous season.
Bangladesh will compete against the hosts in the final at the Dasarath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday (October 30). The game will start at 6:45 pm Bangladesh time. Two years ago, the girls won South Asia’s football crown for the first time, defeating Nepal 3-1 at this ground.
Remembering the last time before the match, Sanjeeda wrote on her Facebook page today, ‘Seeing this scene of celebrating in an open-top bus in 2022 was the first time for the countrymen, it was also a wonderful feeling for us. We were moved by the sight of the football lovers of the country standing around the streets in hot weather, as the overnight arrangements were made to honor our sentiments.’
Bangladesh’s aim to retain the same memory this time, is the mission to retain that which was the first attempt to achieve the previous time. Increased responsibility. That’s the job of the defending champions. We are going to play in front of the host opponent, that opponent’s field, and again that opponent’s familiar crowd. Of course it is a challenge for us. But we are always confident and committed to the country.
Sanjeeda is looking to win cleanly once again. He expressed that hope on Facebook, ‘It is important that we do well to inspire the reform of the country and new awakening activities. We want to win it for the mission of retaining the trophy and to give the countrymen another reason to celebrate. And we will show that inshallah. Pray for us.’
Even though Sanjeeda hears the words of hope, the task is not easy. Both teams gave their best to reach the final stage. Both teams have reached the finals from undefeated. Bangladesh and Nepal drew in their first match in the group stage. After that, he showed strength the rest of the way. However, Nepal is ahead in one place. Bangladesh has conceded 4 goals so far. In three matches, Nepal has managed 1 out of 17 runs.
Although Bangladesh is ahead tactically and technically, there is no chance to throw Nepal away. Their team includes one of the best female footballers in Asia, Savitra Bhandari. Also in defense are footballers like Preeti Roy. Savitra can knock out the opponent alone on her day.
Meanwhile, there are footballers like Tahura in Bangladesh’s attack. Tahura scored five goals in the current season. The experienced Masura Parveen is handling the defence, accompanied by newcomer Afida Khandkar. All in all, it is going to be a crowded fight, there is no doubt about it.
The statistics between the two teams show that till now Bangladesh has won only one match after playing 12 matches with Nepal. That is in the final of the Saaf Championship. In contrast, there are 5 draws with 6 losses. Bangladesh has drawn in the last three matches. Today, it remains to be seen whether Sabina’s team will kiss their second title after getting out of the draw circle or Nepal will be happy for the first time.