Bangladesh have made two changes to their starting eleven for the SAFF Women’s Championship final against India at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, with kick-off at 7pm Bangladesh time on Saturday.
Coach Peter Butler has rotated his squad throughout the tournament, and the final is no different. Shamsunnahar Junior and Tahura Khatun come into the side in place of Souravi Akanda Priti and Umehla Marma, who featured in the semifinal victory over Nepal. Butler has also recalled Afeida Khandaker, who did not play in the group stage defeat to India, to shore up the defensive shape.
Bangladesh arrive at this final carrying the memory of their only previous meeting with India at this stage, a 3-1 defeat in Siliguri in 2016. They have since won back-to-back titles in Kathmandu in 2022 and 2024, and captain Maria Manda’s side now have the chance to do something no team other than India has done in the tournament’s history: win three in a row, and do it on Indian soil.
Bangladesh starting eleven: Mili Akter (goalkeeper), Afeida Khandaker, Shamsunnahar, Kohati Kisku, Momita Khatun, Maria Manda (captain), Anika Rania Siddiqui, Tahura Khatun, Suravi Arafin, Ritu Porna Chakma, Shamsunnahar Junior.
