Kathmandu — Nepal's national football team won its first-ever SAFF Championship title on Saturday, beating India 2-1 in a tense final at Dasharath Rangasala Stadium in front of a sold-out, roaring home crowd.
Substitute striker Anjan Bista scored the winning goal in the 84th minute, sparking scenes of jubilation that spilled out of the stadium and into the streets of Kathmandu late into the night. Captain Rohit Chand called it "the proudest day of my career and of Nepali football."
The All Nepal Football Association announced a cash reward of Rs 2.5 million for each player and pledged new investment in grassroots academies following the win. Football officials hope the title will help reverse years of declining attendance at domestic league matches.