India clinched the SAFF Women’s Championship title 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 throughout the tournament, but it proved little more than 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 they had failed to reach the final in the previous two editions. Bangladesh had emerged champions in both 2022 and 2024, but there was to be no hat-trick of titles as India produced a commanding performance in front of their home supporters.
India finished the tournament with a perfect record, winning all their matches, scoring 18 goals and conceding just once.
INDIA DOMINATE EARLY EXCHANGES
The final brought together the region’s two strongest sides, with India looking to reclaim their place at the top of South Asian women’s football and Bangladesh aiming to defend their title.
Manisha Kalyan was handed her first start of the tournament as India sought to impose themselves from the outset. The hosts controlled possession during the opening stages and fashioned the better opportunities.
Sanfida Nongrum was the first to threaten, firing over from a difficult angle, before Astam Oraon squandered a golden chance in the 16th minute after Bangladesh goalkeeper Mile Akter failed to deal with a long ball from Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam.
Bangladesh remained dangerous on the counter and nearly found the breakthrough when Ritu Porna Chakma curled a corner directly towards goal, only for the ball to drift narrowly over the crossbar.
India continued to push forward and were denied again when Mile Akter produced a fine save to keep out Manisha Kalyan’s powerful half-volley.
PYARI STRIKES AS FINAL BURSTS INTO LIFE
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 42nd minute through Pyari Xaxa.
The forward showed excellent footwork inside the penalty area before getting a shot away. A deflection off Bangladesh defender Surovi Akter looped over Mile Akter and into the net, giving India a deserved lead.
However, the advantage lasted only a few minutes.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Bangladesh struck back through Ritu Porna Chakma. The forward found space down the left flank and drilled a low effort beyond goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam to level the scores and hand India their first conceded goal of the tournament.
INDIA TAKE CONTROL AFTER THE BREAK
If Bangladesh’s equaliser provided them with momentum heading into the interval, India quickly snatched it back after the restart.
Within moments of the second half getting underway, Pyari turned provider. Her delivery from the right found Sanfida Nongrum, who rose highest to power a header into the net via the post and restore India’s lead.
The goal shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour. The hosts looked more assured in possession and continued to dictate proceedings, while Bangladesh struggled to recreate their first-half threat.
There was still a brief scare when Maria Manda nearly caught Panthoi off her line with a dangerous delivery, but the Indian goalkeeper reacted sharply to push the ball away.
India eventually sealed the contest in the 82nd minute. A defensive lapse allowed substitute Lynda Kom Serto to pounce inside the penalty area, and the forward made no mistake as she slotted the ball beyond Mile Akter to make it 3-1.
INDIA SWEEP INDIVIDUAL HONOURS
The victory completed a memorable tournament for India, who underlined their dominance by also sweeping 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 summit of South Asian women’s football and did so in emphatic fashion.
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