Nepal were held to a 1-1 draw by Bangladesh at half-time in their SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 semi-final after failing to protect an early lead provided by defender Gita Rana.

At the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, Rana put Nepal ahead in the 23rd minute. She capitalised on a corner from Dipa Shahi, finding the net after the Bangladesh defence failed to clear the ball.

Nepal came close to doubling their advantage in the 36th minute when Preeti Rai’s powerful strike struck the post. Six minutes later, Rekha Poudel nearly added a second, but her header drifted narrowly wide.

Bangladesh found an equaliser deep into first-half stoppage time through Ritu Porna Chakma, who levelled the score just before the interval.