India women’s national football team clinched their sixth SAFF Women’s Championship title in emphatic fashion on Saturday, defeating defending champions.
Bangladesh women’s national football team 3-1 in the final to end a seven-year wait for the regional crown. Goals from Pyari Xaxa, Sanfida Nongrum and Lynda Kom Serto powered the hosts to a commanding victory, as India completed a dominant campaign on home soil. Bangladesh’s Ritu Porna Chakma scored the only goal India conceded in the entire tournament, but it proved to be merely a consolation.
India last won the title in 2019 and had missed out on the final in the previous two editions, while Bangladesh entered the summit clash as back-to-back champions from 2022 and 2024. However, India produced a controlled and clinical performance to reclaim supremacy in South Asian women’s football.
The hosts finished the tournament unbeaten, winning all their matches while scoring 18 goals and conceding just once.
India start strong in high-stakes final
The final, featuring the region’s two strongest sides, began with India asserting early dominance through sustained possession and sharper chances. Sanfida Nongrum and Astam Oraon both came close, while Bangladesh threatened on the counter and from set-pieces.
India’s pressure eventually paid off in the 42nd minute when Pyari Xaxa’s sharp effort inside the box took a deflection off Surovi Akter and looped over the goalkeeper to open the scoring.
However, Bangladesh responded almost immediately. In stoppage time of the first half, Ritu Porna Chakma produced a composed finish from the left to bring the defending champions level at 1-1.
India regain control after the break
India wasted little time after the restart to retake the lead. Pyari Xaxa turned provider, delivering a precise cross for Sanfida Nongrum, who headed home via the post to restore the advantage.
From there, India controlled the tempo, limiting Bangladesh’s attacking threat and maintaining sustained pressure in midfield. Goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam also made a key intervention to preserve the lead.
The result was sealed in the 82nd minute when Lynda Kom Serto capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot home India’s third goal and secure the title.
India dominate awards and statistics
The victory capped a near-perfect tournament for India, who also swept the individual honours. Aveka Singh finished as top scorer, Sanfida Nongrum was named Most Valuable Player, and Panthoi Chanu Elangbam won the Best Goalkeeper award.
With this triumph, India ended Bangladesh’s recent dominance and reaffirmed their status as the region’s leading force in women’s football.
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