India beats Bangladesh to win the 2026 SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship

India put in a dominant performance against Bangladesh to regain the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship title with a 4-0 win in the final at Pokhara Rangasala in Nepal on Saturday.

Captain Julan Nongmaithen, who led the under-17 team to qualification for the AFC Asian Cup, opened the scoring after receiving a pass from Pritika Barman and sending it into the net.

Alva Devi Senjam, who had delivered the cross for Barman, continued to pose a threat in the final third and was awarded a penalty after the hour. And Elizabed Lakra made it 2-0 with a calm finish from the spot.

Bangladesh, the defending champions, looked visibly shaken, and India piled on the misery, finding the third to force their way onto the field.

Pearl Fernandes, the second highest goalscorer of the tournament (4 goals), stole the ball from Bangladesh goalkeeper Mst Yearzan Begum to put it in the net.

Just as Bangladesh was looking for a way back, the blow came.

India attacked against the run of play and Senjam’s low cross into the box found Anwita Raghuraman, who sent the ball into the net, making it 4-0 seven minutes from time.

India will field its Under-17 team in the U-19 SAFF Championship as it prepares for the Asian Cup under newly appointed head coach Pamela Conti.

The Young Tigresses defeated Nepal 1-0 and Bhutan 8-0 in the round-robin format before lifting the trophy after two years. It was also sweet revenge for India, who had lost 0-2 to Bangladesh earlier in the tournament.

Published on February 7, 2026