Nepal to play first match against Bhutan in SAFF Women’s Championship

KATHMANDU: Nepal will face Bhutan in its first match of the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship, which will be held in Kathmandu from October 17 to 30.

Seven South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) member nations are participating in the championship. Three teams—India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan—are in Group ‘A’, while Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bhutan are in Group ‘B’.

According to the tournament fixtures published by SAFF on Wednesday, India will take on Pakistan in the first match of the championship.

Nepal will play its first match against Bhutan on October 18, followed by matches against the Maldives on October 21 and Sri Lanka on October 24.

The top two teams from each group after the group stage will qualify for the semifinals.

This is the 7th edition of the SAFF Women’s Championship. India is the most successful side in the championship, having won five of the past six editions. Bangladesh lifted the title once, in 2022.

Nepal has finished as runners-up in five editions, including in 2022.

Fixtures: