India beat defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the final to regain title after a gap of seven years in the 8th SAFF Womens Championship at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa today. This was the sixth title triumph for the Blue Tigress, who claimed their past five in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2019.

The championship, featuring six national teams from the South Asia region, was organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) from 25 May to 6 June 2026. The 23-member Indian team, featuring three players from Odisha, won all the four matches they played in the tournament, while scoring 18 goals and conceding just one.

The three Odisha players in the Indian team were: ace striker Pyari Xaxa, defender Juli Kishan and midfielder Jasoda Munda. Pyari scored one goal each in three matches, including the final.

INDIAN WOMEN FOOTBALL TEAM:

Goalkeepers: Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, Ribansi Jamu, Shreya Hooda.
Defenders: Astam Oraon, Juli Kishan, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Purnima Kumari, Ranjana Chanu Sorokhaibam, Sarita Yumnam, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam.
Midfielders: Aveka Singh, Jasoda Munda, Priyangka Devi Naorem, Sanfida Nongrum, Sangita Basfore, Shilky Devi Hemam.
Forwards: Grace Dangmei, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika Prasad, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Soumya Guguloth.
Team Staff: Crispin Chettri (Head coach), Sujata Kar and Nivetha Ramadoss (Assistant coaches), Mario Aguiar (Goalkeeping coach), Amit Yadav (Strength and conditioning coach).

INDIA RESULTS:

25 May 2026 (Group-B League): India (Priyangka Devi Naorem 11, 17, Pyari Xaxa 28, Aveka Singh 34, 66, 70, 86, Grace Dangmei 40, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar 53, 68, Sangita Basfore 60) beat Maldives 11-0.

31 May 2026 (Group-B League): India (Pyari Xaxa 36, Lynda Kom Serto 78-P, Malavika Prasad 90+1) beat Bangladesh 3-0.

3 June 2026 (Semifinal): India (Safida Nongrum 58) beat Bhutan 1-0.

6 June 2026 (Final): India (Pyari Xaxa 42, Safida Nongrum 46, Lynda Kom Serto 82) beat Bangladesh (Ritu Porna Chakma 45+1) 3-1.
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PHOTO: India and Odisha players (L-R) Jasoda Munda, Pyari Xaxa and Juli Kishan celebrate with the SAFF champion trophy in Goa on 6 June 2026.