Photo: Collected

DHAKA, June 6, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh dream of winning the hat-trick title of the SAFF Women's championship vanished into blue as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to India in the exciting final of the SAFF Women's Championship held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa today. 

This victory marked India's sixth overall SAFF Women's Championship triumph.

The opening half was an evenly contested affair, with both sides engaging in attacking football and creating several scoring opportunities before sharing a goal apiece.

Bangladesh came close to taking the lead early in the match. In the 12th minute, Tahura Khatun found herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper inside the box but failed to convert as an Indian defender cleared the danger before she could take her shot.

India nearly broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when Avika Singh's header beat goalkeeper Mile Akter, only for the ball to sail just over the crossbar. Soon afterwards, Manisha found herself through on goal, but Mile produced a superb diving save to her right to keep Bangladesh in the contest.

Tahura squandered another opportunity in the 41st minute, while three minutes later Anika's long-range effort from midfield was brilliantly denied by the Indian goalkeeper.

The hosts eventually took the lead in the 42nd minute through Pyari Xaxa. Receiving a pass from midfield, she dribbled past Shamsunnahar before entering the box. Although Afrin attempted to close her down, Pyari calmly lofted the ball over the advancing Mile and into the net.

Bangladesh, however, responded immediately and restored parity in the first minute of stoppage time. Latching onto a defence-splitting pass from Tahura Khatun, Ritu Porna Chakma showed great composure to place the ball beyond the Indian goalkeeper and into the far corner.

India again took the lead and gained control of the game just after the interval. In the 46th minute midfielder Sanfida Nongrum leaped inside the penalty box and headed the ball from a corner kick. Although goalkeeper Mile Akter dived to make the save, but the ball struck the side post and went into the net.

After falling behind for the second time, Bangladesh tried to equalize but instead Bangladesh concede another goal in the 82nd minute. Indian forward Landy Com sealed the victory for her team from the close range off a pass from Malavika.

Earlier, head coach Peter Butler has made two changes to the Bangladesh's playing eleven against India including forwards Tohura Khatun and Shamsunnahar Jr in the squad.

Tohura replaced Umelah, while Shamsunnahar Jr replaced Sauravi Akter Prity.

Bangladesh squad - Mile Akter, Maria Manda, Shamsunnahar, Afeida Khandaker, Kohati Kisku, Momita Khatun, Anika Rania Siddiqui, Tohura Khatun, Surovi Akter Arfin, Ritu Porna Chakma and Shamsunnahar Jr.