India beat Bangladesh to win the SAFF Women’s Championship after seven years

India clinched the SAFF Women’s Championship for the sixth time after defeating defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the final on Saturday, ending a seven-year wait for the regional crown.

Goals from Pyari Xaxa, Sanfida Nongrum and Lynda Kom Serto helped the hosts cap off a dominant campaign in style. Bangladesh’s Ritu Porna Chakma scored the only goal India conceded during the tournament, but it proved to be a consolation as the hosts reclaimed the trophy they last won in 2019.

The triumph marked India’s first SAFF Women’s Championship title since 2019 after failing to reach the finals in the previous two editions. Bangladesh were crowned champions in both 2022 and 2024 but there was no hat-trick of titles as India produced a commanding performance in front of their home fans.

India finished the tournament with a perfect record, winning all their matches, scoring 18 wickets and conceding only once.

INDIA DOMINATE EARLY EXCHANGE

The final brought together two of the region’s strongest sides, with India looking to reclaim their place at the top of South Asian women’s football and Bangladesh looking to defend their title.

Manisha Kalyan had her first start in the tournament as India tried to assert itself from the very beginning. The home side controlled possession in the opening stages and created the better chances.

Sanfida Nongrum threatened first, firing over from a difficult angle, before Astam Oraon missed a golden chance in the 16th minute after Bangladesh goalkeeper Mile Akter failed to deal with Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam’s long ball.

Bangladesh remained dangerous on the counter and almost found a breakthrough when Ritu Porna Chakma curled a corner straight at goal, but the ball flew narrowly over the bar.

India continued to push and were again denied when Mile Akter made a brilliant save to keep out Manisha Kalyan’s powerful half-volley.

PYARI STRIKES AS THE ULTIMATE INSPIRATION TO LIFE

The breakthrough finally came in the 42nd minute through Pyari Xaxa.

The forward showed excellent footwork in the penalty area before getting a shot wide. Bangladesh defender Surovi Aktera’s rebound slipped past Mile Aktera into the net to give India a deserved lead.

However, the advantage lasted only a few minutes.

Deep into stoppage time in the first half, Bangladesh hit back via Ritu Porna Chakma. The striker found space down the left wing and slotted a low effort past Panthoi goalkeeper Chanu Elangbam to level the scores and give India their first conceded goal of the tournament.

INDIA TAKE CONTROL AFTER THE BREAK

If Bangladesh’s equalizer gave them the momentum heading into the interval, India quickly grabbed it back after the restart.

By the time the second half got underway, Pyari had turned provider. Her cross from the right found Sanfida Nongrum who rose highest to send a header into the net over the bar to restore India’s lead.

The goal shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour. The hosts looked more confident in possession and continued to dictate proceedings as Bangladesh looked to renew their first-half threat.

There was still a brief scare when Maria Manda almost caught Panthoi off her line with a dangerous delivery, but the Indian keeper reacted sharply to push the ball away.

India finally sealed the match in the 82nd minute. A defensive error allowed substitute Lynda Kom Serto to dive into the penalty area and the striker made no mistake as she slotted the ball past Mile Akter to make it 3-1.

INDIA SWEEP INDIVIDUAL HONOURS

The win capped off a memorable tournament for India, who also underlined their dominance by winning the major individual awards.

Aveka Singh finished as the competition’s top scorer with four goals, Sanfida Nongrum was named the most valuable player while goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam received the best goalkeeper award.

After watching Bangladesh lift the trophy in the last two editions, India finally returned to the top of South Asian women’s football and did so in emphatic fashion.

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

June 6, 2026 10:32 PM IST