Bangladesh’s dream of a third consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship title came to an end in Goa on Saturday evening, as India claimed a 3-1 victory in the final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao to lift the trophy for a sixth time. Ritu Porna Chakma’s equaliser had given Bangladesh hope at the interval, but India scored twice in the second half to settle the contest and deny Peter Butler’s side a historic hat-trick of titles.
Bangladesh began with clear defensive intent, sitting compact and prioritising their shape in the opening exchanges. India had the first sight of goal in the fourth minute when Sanfida Nongrum fired over from distance, and Afeida Khandaker was booked shortly after for a foul on Aveka Singh. Bangladesh created the first genuine chance in the 12th minute when Ritu Porna played in Shamsunnahar Junior from the left, but she could not apply a finish with the goal at her mercy. Tahura Khatun then found herself one on one with the Indian goalkeeper two minutes later, only for Juli Kishan to recover and block her effort.
India fashioned the best chance of the opening period when Astam Oraon had the goal at her mercy after the Bangladesh defence failed to deal with a ball over the top, but her shot flew wide. Goalkeeper Mili Akter made a smart save to deny Manisha Kalyan in the 38th minute before India broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute through Pyari Xaxa. Defender Suravi Arafin rushed out to block but the ball deflected off her and looped over an advancing Mili into the net. It was the first goal India had conceded in the entire tournament, having kept clean sheets against Maldives, Bangladesh and Bhutan in their three previous matches.
Bangladesh responded almost immediately. Anika Rania fed Tahura, whose perfectly weighted pass released Ritu Porna down the left channel. She drove into the box and finished low across the goalkeeper into the far corner in first-half stoppage time to level the scores, sending the teams in at the break on equal terms.
The second half lasted barely 48 seconds before Bangladesh conceded again. Sanfida met Pyari Xaxa’s cross with a header to restore India’s lead, and Butler’s side never truly recovered. The coach introduced Monica Chakma for Anika in the 60th minute in search of a response, and Bangladesh appealed for a penalty in the 58th minute when Shamsunnahar Junior went down under a challenge from Malvika inside the box, but the referee waved play on.
Shamsunnahar Junior headed over from a Ritu Porna corner in the 51st minute as Bangladesh searched desperately for an equaliser, and India survived a scare in the 64th minute when Manisha could not direct Sanfida’s cross on target from close range. Any lingering hope Bangladesh harboured was extinguished in the 83rd minute when Kam Serto capitalised on a disorganised defensive shape to make it 3-1 and confirm India’s title.
Butler made two changes from the semifinal victory over Nepal, bringing in Shamsunnahar Junior and Tahura Khatun in place of Souravi Akanda Priti and Umehla Marma. Bangladesh had entered the final having won back-to-back titles in Kathmandu in 2022 and 2024, and captain Maria Manda’s side came within reach of becoming the first team other than India to win three consecutive SAFF Women’s Championships. On this occasion, however, India were simply the stronger side.
