India moved one step closer to reclaiming the SAFF Women’s Championship title after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bhutan in the second semifinal on Wednesday. The win sends the five-time champion into the final, where it will face defending champion Bangladesh at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.
Despite entering the match as overwhelming favourites after scoring 14 goals in two group-stage games, India was made to work hard by a disciplined and determined Bhutan side. The visitors, appearing in their third consecutive semifinal, frustrated the host for much of the contest with a compact defensive display and a willingness to threaten on the counterattack.
Ranked 69th in the FIFA rankings, India dominated possession from the outset but struggled to convert control into goals during the opening half. The Blue Tigresses created several opportunities through Karishma, Soumya Guguloth and Aveka Singh, yet a combination of wasteful finishing and alert Bhutan goalkeeping kept the score level.
Bhutan, meanwhile, showed why it had progressed deep into the tournament. While spending long periods without the ball, it remained dangerous on the break and managed to carve out a couple of promising chances, although it was unable to capitalize on them.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 60th minute when Sanfida Nongrum found the back of the net after sustained Indian pressure. The goal lifted the home crowd and provided India with the advantage it had been seeking throughout a tense encounter.
Following the opener, coach Crispin Chhetri turned to his bench, introducing experienced attacking players including Manisha Kalyan and Pyari Xaxa in an attempt to secure a more comfortable lead. However, Bhutan continued to fight and remained competitive until the final whistle, repeatedly testing the Indian defence with quick transitions.
India created additional opportunities in the closing stages but could not extend its lead. Bhutan, on the other hand, showed admirable determination but lacked the finishing quality needed to force extra time.
The narrow victory keeps India’s hopes alive of winning its first SAFF Women’s Championship crown since 2019. Standing in its way is a confident Bangladesh side that has reached a third consecutive final.
Earlier on Wednesday, Bangladesh defeated Nepal 2-1 in the first semifinal. Substitute Sagorika emerged as the hero, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send the defending champions into another title clash. Bangladesh enters the final aiming to secure a third successive championship after lifting the trophy in both 2022 and 2024.
Saturday’s final now promises a compelling battle between India’s most successful women’s football team and a Bangladesh side seeking to continue its recent dominance in South Asian football.
