India will aim to reclaim the SAFF Women's Championship title and secure a record-extending sixth crown when they take on defending champions Bangladesh in the final on Saturday. Entering the summit clash unbeaten and yet to concede a goal in the tournament, the Indian side will start as favourites against a Bangladesh team that has emerged as one of its fiercest regional rivals in recent years.
The Crispin Chhetri-coached side has enjoyed a dominant campaign, scoring 15 goals while maintaining a perfect defensive record. India opened the tournament with a resounding 11-0 victory over the Maldives before defeating Bangladesh 3-0 in the group stage to finish at the top of Group B. The team then edged past Bhutan in the semifinals to book its place in the title clash.
India will also be boosted by the return of star forward Manisha Kalyan, who joined the squad during the tournament after being released by her Peruvian club, Alianza Lima, for the FIFA international window. The 24-year-old missed the group-stage encounter against Bangladesh and is expected to add greater attacking threat in the final. Young midfielder Aveka Singh, currently the tournament's leading scorer with four goals, has also been a standout performer and will be crucial in creating opportunities in the attacking third.
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At the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu has been instrumental in India's defensive solidity, keeping clean sheets throughout the competition. Captain Shilky Devi Hemam has also led the side effectively in the absence of regular skipper Sweety Devi Ngangbam, who remains unavailable due to injury sustained earlier this year.
Despite India's higher FIFA ranking of 69 compared to Bangladesh's 107, the defending champions have proven to be formidable opponents. Bangladesh ended India's dominance in the tournament by winning the title in both 2022 and 2024, defeating Nepal in the finals on each occasion. Those results prevented India from extending a streak of five consecutive SAFF Women's Championship titles.
Historically, India have enjoyed the upper hand in the rivalry, winning 10 of the 13 meetings between the two sides, with one draw and two defeats. However, both losses came in the last two editions of the SAFF Women's Championship, adding extra significance to Saturday's encounter. With regional supremacy and redemption on the line, India will be eager to complete an unbeaten campaign and bring the trophy back after a six-year wait.
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