SAFF Women’s Championship: India end seven-year wait, beat Bangladesh 3-1 to win
India defeated defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the SAFF Women's Championship final to reclaim the title after seven years and lift a record-extending sixth crown.
India’s women’s team signed off their FIFA Series 2026 campaign on a high, edging past Malawi 3-2 in a gripping third-place play-off at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.
Goals from Astam Oraon (18’), Aveka Singh (45+1’) and substitute Priyadharshini Selladurai (84’) sealed the win for the Blue Tigresses, while Khumalo Ireen (42’) and Henry Deborah (60’) struck for Malawi.
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India began on the front foot and made their early dominance count in the 18th minute. A floated corner from Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam caused confusion in the Malawian box, and Oraon reacted quickest to slot home her first international goal.
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Malawi, however, grew into the contest and equalised just before the break through a stunning free-kick from Ireen. But India responded immediately in stoppage time, with Aveka Singh finishing a well-worked move to restore the lead heading into halftime.
The second half saw Malawi push hard, and their persistence paid off in the 60th minute when Deborah capitalised on a set-piece situation to make it 2-2.
With the game becoming increasingly scrappy, both sides searched for a winner. India goalkeeper Shreya Hooda stayed alert under pressure, making crucial interventions to keep the scores level.
Just when the match looked destined for penalties, India found the breakthrough. A long free-kick from Nirmala picked out Selladurai, who cut inside and fired a precise finish into the bottom corner in the 84th minute.
India held firm in the closing minutes to secure a hard-fought victory and finish third in the tournament, bouncing back after their semi-final loss to Kenya women’s national football team.
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