India Beat Bangladesh 4-0 to Win SAFF U-19 Women Championship in Nepal

India Lift SAFF U-19 Women’s Crown with Convincing Win

India secured the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Under-19 Women’s Championship after defeating Bangladesh 4–0 in the final at Pokhara Rangasala Stadium, Nepal. The emphatic margin reflected India’s control across all phases of play and completed a strong turnaround after an earlier setback in the league stage.

Early Momentum Sets the Tone

Team captain Julan Nongmaithem opened the scoring, providing India with immediate ascendancy. The side sustained pressure through cohesive midfield transitions and disciplined positioning. Elizabeth Lakra and Pearl Fernandes extended the advantage with well-constructed attacking moves, while substitute Anwita Raghuraman added the fourth goal to seal a comprehensive result.

Tactical Recovery After Group-Stage Loss

The championship clash carried added weight because Bangladesh had previously defeated India during the round-robin phase. In the final, India demonstrated improved defensive compactness, quicker ball circulation, and more efficient finishing in the attacking third. The performance illustrated effective in-tournament learning and strategic adjustments by the coaching staff.

Developmental Focus Ahead of Continental Competition

India fielded its Under-17 women’s squad in the Under-19 event to accelerate match exposure before the upcoming AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup. Competing against older age-group opposition provided valuable experience in high-intensity fixtures, particularly in managing knockout pressure and game tempo.

Momentum for the Women’s Football Pathway

The title strengthens India’s youth pipeline in women’s football, highlighting progress in grassroots identification, structured coaching, and international exposure. Success at the regional level is expected to bolster confidence and competitive readiness as the team transitions to continental tournaments.

Exam-Focused Points

• SAFF stands for South Asian Football Federation .

• The SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship is contested among South Asian national teams.

• The 2026 final was played at Pokhara Rangasala Stadium, Nepal .

• India defeated Bangladesh 4–0 in the title match.

• India used its U-17 women’s team for preparation ahead of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup .