SAFF Women's Championship 2026
Published: 10:04 AM, 06 June 2026
Bangladesh meet arch-rival India in final today
Bangladesh stormed into the final of the SAFF Women's Championship after coming from behind to defeat Nepal by 2-1 goals in the first semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa on Wednesday. -BFF
Bangladesh will face India in the final of the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa on Saturday.
Ahead of the final match the team held training session on Friday at the Bambolim Athletic Stadium.
Bangladesh women's national football team skipped on-field training session on Thursday as the technical staffs granted the players a full recovery day at the team hotel following their semifinal match of the SAFF Women's Championship.
As part of the recovery programme, the players completed ice bath sessions this morning at the hotel. Later in the day, the team held a video analysis session and team meeting, where the coaching staff will review the previous match and discuss key tactical aspects in preparation for the upcoming final.
Team's assistant coach AbulHossain through a video message said both Bangladesh and India have the chance to win the trophy because both teams are in good sides. He said Bangladesh team is currently on winning streak and must try two win the final match against India.
The team's present condition is quite good after the Nepal match and there is no any major injury concern in the team except Monika who sustained minor injury in the last match.
Earlier, Bangladesh stormed into the final of the SAFF Women's Championship after coming from behind to defeat Nepal by 2-1 goals in the first semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa on Wednesday.
It is the third consecutive time Bangladesh have reached the final of the tournament, having won the championship in both 2022 and 2024. The girls in red and green are now chasing a historic third straight SAFF title.
Nepal started strongly and put Bangladesh under pressure from the opening minutes. Their breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when DeepaShahi delivered a corner kick that was converted to a goal by Gita Rana.
Bangladesh had chances to equalize soon after conceding but were unable to capitalize due to poor finishing.
The Bangladesh defence survived another scare in the 36th minute when a long-range effort from PreetiRai struck the goalpost after a touch from goalkeeper Mile Akter.
Bangladesh eventually found the equalizer in first-half stoppage time. Star forward RituparnaChakma scored directly utilizing a corner kick in the 45+1st minute, leaving the Nepal goalkeeper with no chance.
After the break, Bangladesh played with greater organization and attacking intent, creating several opportunities but struggling to convert them.
The decisive moment arrived in the 90+3rd minute when substitute Sagarika scored the winning goal, sending Bangladesh into the final and keeping alive their dream of a hat-trick of SAFF titles.
Earlier, head coach Peter Butler made three changes to the starting lineup from the previous match against India. Midfielder AfeidaKhandakar returned to the starting eleven, replacing SurmaJannat.
The coach also brought in forward SauraviAkandaPrity and midfielder UmehlaMarma in place of Shamsunnahar and Monika Chakma.
Bangladesh began their title defence with an impressive 4-2 victory over Maldives women's national football team.
However, the girls in red and green suffered a setback in their second group-stage match, losing 3-0 to five-time champions India women's national football team and finishing as runners-up in Group B.
Bangladesh XI: Mile Akter, KohatiKisku, AfeidaKhandakar, ShamsunnaharSr, SuroviAkterArfin, Maria Manda, UmehlaMarma, MomitaKhatun, RituPornaChakma, SauraviAkandaPrity and AnikaSiddiqui.
