India U17 Women’s Team defeated Bangladesh U19 Women’s Team to win SAFF U19 Women’s Championship 2026 at Pokhara Rangasala Stadium, on Saturday. The Young Tigresses won by 4-0.
Julan Nongmaithem in 42’, Elizabed Lakra in 63’ through penalty, Pearl Fernandes in 68’ and Anwita Raghuraman in 83’ scored the goals for India.
India had sent their U17 women’s national team to Pokhara to participate in the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship, in order for the Young Tigresses to prepare for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup, later this year.
In Round Robin Stage, India finished second behind Bangladesh. India lost to Bangladesh 0-2, defeated Nepal 1-0, Bhutan 8-0.
India won the Fair Play Award and Munni won the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
This is the third time that Young Tigresses won the U18, U19, U20 age group SAFF Women’s Football Tournament. Earlier, they won U18 Championship in 2022 and was Joint Winner with Bangladesh in U20 Championship in 2024. In 2021, India finished Runners-Up in U19 Championship. In 2018 U18 & in 2023 U20 Championship, India finished third. India skipped the 2024 U20 Championship.
India U17 Women’s Team Starting XI:
Munni, Elizabed Lakra, Divyani Linda, Thandamoni Baskey, Julan Nongmaithem, Pearl Fernandes, Pritika Barman, Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Abhista Basnett, Alva Devi Senjam, Alisha Lyngdoh
Picture Courtesy: AIFF Media
