India End Seven-Year Wait, Crush Bangladesh To Reclaim SAFF Women's Championship Crown

Last Updated:June 07, 2026, 12:06 IST

India ended a seven-year title drought by beating defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the SAFF Women’s Championship final, lifting a record-extending sixth crown.

India are champions of South Asia once again.

The hosts produced a commanding display to defeat defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the SAFF Women’s Championship final on Saturday, clinching a record-extending sixth title and ending a seven-year wait for regional supremacy.

Goals from Pyari Xaxa, Sanfida Nongrum and Lynda Kom Serto sealed a deserved victory for India, who completed the tournament with a perfect record.

The triumph marked India’s first SAFF Women’s Championship title since 2019. After winning the first five editions in a row, India had surprisingly failed to reach the final in the previous two tournaments, both of which were won by Bangladesh.

Pyari Breaks Through, Bangladesh Hit Back

The final brought together the region’s two strongest teams, with India looking to reclaim their throne and Bangladesh aiming to defend the title they won in 2022 and 2024.

India dominated possession from the outset and created the better chances. Sanfida Nongrum, Astam Oraon and Manisha Kalyan all came close as the hosts piled on pressure.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 42nd minute when Pyari Xaxa showed quick feet inside the box before firing a shot that took a wicked deflection off Surovi Akter and looped over goalkeeper Mile Akter.

However, Bangladesh struck back almost immediately. Deep into first-half stoppage time, star forward Ritu Porna Chakma found space down the left and drilled a low shot into the far corner, handing India their first goal conceded of the tournament.

Second-Half Domination Seals The Title

India responded in the best possible fashion.

Just moments after the restart, Pyari turned provider. Her cross from the right found Sanfida Nongrum, who rose highest and powered a header in off the post to restore India’s lead.

That goal shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour. Bangladesh struggled to create meaningful openings, while the hosts controlled proceedings with confidence.

The result was finally put beyond doubt in the 82nd minute. A defensive lapse inside the Bangladesh box allowed substitute Lynda Kom Serto to pounce and calmly slot home India’s third goal.

A Perfect Tournament For India

India finished the tournament in emphatic fashion, scoring 18 goals and conceding just once across five matches.

They opened their campaign with an 11-0 demolition of Maldives before beating Bangladesh 3-0 in the group stage and never looked back.

Aveka Singh finished as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals, Sanfida Nongrum was named Most Valuable Player, while goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam won the Best Goalkeeper award.

(with PTI inputs)

About the Author

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His...Read More

News sports football India End Seven-Year Wait, Crush Bangladesh To Reclaim SAFF Women's Championship Crown

Read More