Margao (Goa): Hosts India booked their place in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 after edging past a resilient Bhutan 1-0 in the semifinal at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Wednesday. The victory sets up a title clash against defending champions Bangladesh, who earlier defeated Nepal 2-1 in the first semi-final. The final will take place on June 6 at 18:30 IST.
Sanfida Nongrum scored the lone goal of India’s semifinal win in the 58th minute. Head coach Crispin Chettri made two changes to the side that beat Bangladesh 3-0 in the last group stage, handing starts to Karishma Shirvoikar and Priyangka Devi Naorem in place of Pyari Xaxa and Sangita Basfore.
Despite entering the match as favourites, India struggled to find rhythm in the opening exchanges. Bhutan adopted a defensive approach, sitting deep inside their own half and inviting pressure from an Indian side that kept most of the possession.
Chettri responded at the break by making three attacking changes. Manisha Kalyan made her tournament debut in place of Priyangka Devi Naorem, Malavika replaced Soumya Guguloth, and Sangita Basfore came on for Karishma. The substitutions immediately injected greater fluidity into India’s attacking play. Just six minutes after the restart, Manisha showcased her quality with a delightful cross that found an unmarked Aveka Singh, but the midfielder failed to bring the ball under control.
India’s persistence was finally rewarded in the 58th minute. Bhutan goalkeeper Sangita found herself off her line following a scramble near the edge of the penalty area. Aveka initially looked poised to score, but the loose ball ricocheted kindly towards Sangita Basfore, who bravely headed the ball forward to Sanfida Nongrum. The midfielder showed excellent composure, taking a touch before firing past the stranded goalkeeper to break the deadlock and score her second international goal for India.
The goal marked Sangita Basfore’s third assist in as many matches, maintaining her remarkable record of setting up goals in every game of the tournament. (IANS)
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