How has Indian Women's Football Team fared in SAFF Championships in the past?

The Blue Tigresses are the most successful team in the SAFF Championship.

The Indian women’s national football team‘s dominance in the SAFF Championship is undisputed, having won the first five editions of the tournament. Between 2010 and 2019, the Senior Women’s National Team were invincible, scoring 138 goals while conceding only six.

The success also led to India being considered the ‘unconquered queen of SAFF’ and a force of nature in the tournament. The Blue Tigresses continued to dominate despite the improved performances of other teams until the 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship.

In the 2022 edition in Kathmandu, India failed to defend the title as they were eliminated in the semi-finals, losing 1-0 to Nepal.

New head coach Santosh Kashyap will look to impress in his first tournament with the Blue Tigresses since taking over from Langam Chaoba Devi in September this year. Under Chaoba Devi, the team never seemed to click and even failed to win the 2024 Turkish Women’s Cup.

ALSO READ: SAFF Women’s Championship: List of all winners

Following a defeat against Uzbekistan and a draw against Myanmar in July, Devi was sacked by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and replaced by Kashyap. The 58-year-old will be keen to silence his doubters as Indian women’s head coach by winning a record sixth SAFF Championship.

Kashyap had already announced the squad that will face Pakistan in Group A as the opening fixture of the 2024 SAFF Championship. The match will also mark a pivotal landmark in the career of star defender Ashalata Devi, who will be making her 100th international appearance. 

The Blue Tigresses will be determined to set the records straight and reclaim their crown in Kathmandu, Nepal from October 17 to 30, 2024.

Here is a look at how India has fared in the past in the SAFF Championship.

Total Matches played – 27

Wins – 24

Draws – 1

Losses – 2

Goals For – 150

Goals Conceded – 10

Last three fixtures in the SAFF Championship

• India 0-1 Nepal
• India 0-3 Bangladesh
• India 9-0 Maldives

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