KATHMANDU, Dec 21: India’s East Bengal Club clinched the title of the inaugural South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Club Championship after defeating Nepal’s APF Club 3–0 in the final at Dasharath Stadium, Tripureshwar, on Saturday.
East Bengal captain Fazila Equaput scored twice, while Shilkidevi Hanam added another goal to seal a convincing victory.
APF Club enters finals of SAFF Women's Club Championship
Equaput opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, capitalising on a lapse in coordination between APF goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar and defender Geeta Rana. East Bengal doubled their lead in the 35th minute when Shilkidevi Hanam headed home from a corner delivered by Sarita Yumnam and flicked on by Asha Lata.
Early in the second half, Equaput netted her second goal and East Bengal’s third, effectively putting the match beyond APF’s reach. No further goals were scored.
The tournament, organised by SAFF for the first time, was held from December 5 and featured clubs from five countries. Along with finalists East Bengal and APF, the competition included Karachi City FC of Pakistan, Nasir Sports Academy of Bangladesh, and Transport United of Bhutan.
