Captain Maria Manda and goal-scorer Ritu Porna Chakma attributed Bangladesh’s hard-earned 2-1 win over Nepal to the nation and teammate Sheuli Azim’s late mother after securing a spot in the SAFF Women’s Championship final for the third consecutive time on Tuesday.
The team, clad in red and green, was emotionally impacted by the passing of Sheuli’s mother earlier that day. The final training session was canceled as many senior players struggled to come to terms with the news, reflecting the somber mood on the field.
“It was a challenging match, but our main goal was to make it to the final as this match was crucial for us. We knew we had to secure a result today, not just for ourselves but also for our teammate Sheuli Azim who is mourning her mother’s loss. We accomplished what we set out to do for our country and Sheuli,” Ritu expressed in the post-match interview.
Ritu further mentioned that the team aimed to dedicate the triumph to Sheuli’s mother, a sentiment echoed by Captain Maria. Maria emphasized that the team carried Sheuli’s grief throughout the game, stating, “We have felt the pain of Sheuli’s loss, so our objective was to achieve something meaningful for the nation and for Sheuli. This victory is now dedicated to Sheuli’s mother.”