Nepal national women team failed to fulfill their SAFF Championship title quest again as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against Bangladesh in the final at the Dasharath Stadium on Monday.

Srimoti Krishnarani Sarkar scored in either half before Shamsunnahar gave an early lead to Bangladesh, who created history by lifting their first-ever SAFF trophy.

The outcome, however, was a harsh blow to Nepal who lost in the final for the fifth time among six editions of the biennial tournament. Bangladesh also defeated Nepal for the first time in any competition. Nepal had won six among the previous eight encounters against Bangladesh while two had finished in draws.

“I would like to make a sincere apology to Nepali fans for failing to fulfill our promises,” said coach Kumar Thapa, who also announced that he would step down from his position as a coach. “We tried our best and put up our effort to optimum level.”

Speaking at the post-match conference, Thapa added, “I am satisfied with the team’s performance but we are disappointed that we could not win the trophy. I would leave the team right away because hire and fire depends upon the team's success. I failed to fulfill my target and it is not good only to occupy the position. The one who does not succeed should not stick to the position. I should happily make way for others.”

Bangladesh, meanwhile, became the second champions of the sub-continental showpiece after India, who have won all previous five trophies, since the biennial tournament’s inception in 2010. Nepal were defeated by India in the previous four finals while in the fourth edition in 2016 they had crashed out from the semi-final going down to India.

“I want to congratulate my girls,” Bangladesh coach Golam Robbani Choton said after the match. “They played well and we achieved our target. Now we are the number one team in South Asia.”

Bangladesh came into the tournament like champions and inflicted on the South Aisan giants India their first defeat of SAFF competition with a 3-0 win in the group stage. India finally crashed out of the competition after losing to Nepal 1-0 in the semi-finals.

Bangladesh have been unstoppable this edition and they made it to the final winning all three group stage matches and a semi-final against Bhutan maintaining their clean sheet.

They showed why they were the deserving winners, taking the lead in the 14th minute through Shumsunnahar at the jam packed stadium with more than 15,000 spectators. The forward, who replaced Jahan Shopna in the 10th minute, was quick to impress as she cleverly back-volleyed a cross from Monika Chakma to put her side in front.

Nepal tried to reply on the 24th through Rashi Kumari Ghising but Bangladesh goalie Rupna Chakma caught her strike in the second attempt after she spilled the ball at the wet pitch.

Goalie Chakma made a valiant save in the 36th minute with a diving effort to prevent winger Anita Basnet’s 25-yard freekick. In the resulting corner, Bangladesh made goalline clearance twice at the crowded zone as Masura Pravin blocked Preeti Rai’s goal-bound strike and defender Amrita Jaisi’s strike was again defended by Akhi Khatun.

Srimoti Krishnarai furthered the advantage in the 42nd minute. Krishnarani beat the offside trap and fired past Nepal captain and goalkeeper Anjila Tumbapo Subba after good work from captain Sabina Khatun.

Coach Thapa introduced Nepal’s all-time highest scorer Sabitra Bhandari, who has netted 40 goals in 41 games, after the break in search of goals and her presence was felt in front of roaring home supporters as Nepal displayed a high-pressing game creating chances after chances.

Three minutes into the restart, midfielder Dipa Shahi’s header in winger Basnet’s corner rebounded off the crossbar before goalie Khatun got her hand on the ball. Forward Rashmi Kumari Ghising wasted a golden scoring opportunity in the 52nd as her free header in Basnet’s cross was wide.

Seven minutes later Basnet selfishly ended up firing to post from the edge allowing Khatun to grab it instead of passing it to Bhandari. Basnet finally reduced the deficit in the 70th smashing at the back of the net with her left-footed strike after she was set up by Amisha Karki.

But Nepal’s hopes of a comeback ended when Krishnarani Sarkar pounced on a defensive effort from Nepal to smack home her second in the 77th and seal a historic win.

Coach Thapa also pointed out that failing to utilise opportunities cost the match.

“Not that we made mistakes, but we failed to score,” he said. “We had got sufficient chances but couldn’t convert them. We got mentally down after we failed to take the lead. Sabitra and Rashmi should have scored. We also gave a tough fight and created chances. I was still optimistic of a comeback until we had conceded two, but our hopes faded after the third goal.”

Along with Thapa, three members of the national squad—defender Punam Jargha Magar, and midfielders Dipa Rai and Indira Rai—also announced retirement from international football after the final match.