SAFF Women’s Championship 2026: India Beat Bangladesh 3-0 to Top Group B and Reach Semi-Finals

SAFF Women's Championship 2026: India beat Bangladesh 3-0 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The win put India top of Group B at the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 and ended a seven-year wait against Bangladesh.

India scored through Pyari Xaxa on 36 minutes, Lynda Kom Serto from a 78th-minute penalty, and Malavika P in the 90+1st minute. India finished the group with six points after an earlier 11-0 win over Maldives and will face Bhutan in the semi-final.

Bangladesh, who had beaten India in 2022 and 2024, will meet Nepal in the other semi-final. That match is set for June 3 at 16:00, while India versus Bhutan will kick off at 20:00 on the same day.

Early scare and first-half control

Both teams started with high energy. Bangladesh almost scored in the second minute when a slip from Shilky Devi Hemam let Anika Rania Siddiqui in, but India goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu Elangbam reacted well and stopped the danger for the hosts.

India then settled and took control. They passed well and used both flanks. Their midfield controlled the pace, while crosses into the box tested the Bangladesh defence. Sanfida Nongrum missed a good chance in the 22nd minute, shooting wide after fine control on the right.

Pyari Xaxa also missed a clear header five minutes later. She was unmarked in the box but could not direct her effort on target. However, in the 36th minute, a long ball from Shilky led to a poor clearance from Kohati Kisku.

The loose ball reached Pyari. She steadied herself and drove a right-footed shot into the bottom corner beyond goalkeeper Mile Akter. India then managed the rest of the half well and went into the break with a deserved 1-0 advantage.

SAFF Women's Championship 2026: Second-half pressure and late goals

India kept their attacking approach after half-time. In the 51st minute, Mile Akter spilled a cross, but Bangladesh defenders blocked Pyari's follow-up. Substitute Lynda Kom Serto replaced Aveka Singh in the 66th minute and soon tested Mile with a strong shot.

India doubled the lead in the 78th minute. Sanfida found substitute Malavika near the box. As Malavika drove inside, Mst Surma Jannat brought her down, and the referee pointed to the spot. Lynda placed the penalty into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0.

India's third came in stoppage time. In the 91st minute, Sangita Basfore crossed from the right. Malavika controlled well and finished from close range. The performance gave India momentum and belief as they chase the SAFF Women's Championship title after seven years.

India's starting line-up featured Panthoi Chanu Elangbam (GK, C), Purnima Kumari, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Sangita Basfore, Soumya Guguloth, Sanfida Nongrum, Astam Oraon, Pyari Xaxa, Jasoda Munda and Aveka Singh, with substitutions involving Juli Kishan, Priyangka Devi Naorem, Malavika P, Karishma Shirvoikar and Lynda Kom Serto.