Hosts India clinched a spot in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 by defeating Bhutan 1-0 in the semifinal at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa. The victory sets up a title clash against defending champions Bangladesh, who won against Nepal in the first semi-final. The final is scheduled for June 6 at 18:30 IST.
Sanfida Nongrum scored the only goal in India’s semifinal win in the 58th minute. Head coach Crispin Chettri made two changes to the team that previously defeated Bangladesh 3-0 in the group stage, giving starts to Karishma Shirvoikar and Priyangka Devi Naorem.
Despite being the favorites, India initially struggled to find their rhythm as Bhutan took a defensive approach. Bhutan sat deep in their own half, inviting pressure from India, which held most of the possession.
India controlled the game through midfield, finishing the first half with 71% possession. However, they lacked precision in the final third, with players like Soumya Guguloth and Sanfida Nongrum missing promising opportunities.
Chettri’s three attacking changes at halftime injected more fluidity into India’s play. The substitutions paid off when Sanfida Nongrum scored in the 58th minute, breaking the deadlock. The goal marked Sangita Basfore’s third assist in as many matches, showcasing her remarkable record in the tournament.
Bhutan remained resilient, and their goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep them in the game. Despite creating chances, India failed to secure a second goal. However, Sanfida’s goal was enough to secure a hard-fought victory and a spot in the final against Bangladesh.
