SAFF Women’s Championship 2026: Top three Indian players to watch out for against Bhutan
The Blue Tigresses have recorded two clean sheets in group stage fixtures.
India marched on to the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 semi-finals following a dominating group-stage performance. The Blue Tigresses are set to face Bhutan in the knockout clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on June 3.
The hosts registered a scintillating 11-0 victory over the Maldives in the opening game. Crispin Chettri’s team maintained their momentum against defending champions Bangladesh, securing a 3-0 victory.
With that, India topped Group B and are set to face Bhutan in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 semi-final on Wednesday.
The Bhutan national women’s team finished second in Group A standings with three points from two matches. They suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat against Nepal in the opener but thrashed Sri Lanka with a commanding 4-0 win to secure their spot in the semis.
In this article, we take a closer look at the top three Indian players to keep an eye on ahead of the Blue Tigresses’ semi-final game against Bhutan in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026.
Aveka Singh
Aveka Singh is in red-hot form in front of the goal and is the current top scorer of the SAFF Women’s Championship. The Næstved HG midfielder put four past the Maldives keeper in India’s massive victory in the opener.
Singh also started in the Bangladesh game and played a crucial role in dictating the tempo of the match.
With European experience under her belt and a sharp eye for goal, Singh could be an X factor in the Bhutan game. With the midfielder’s inch-perfect through balls, ability to arrive late in the box and chase opposing defenders, and her knack for long-range attempts, Aveka Singh is definitely going to play a big role in the forthcoming match.
Pyari Xaxa
Pyari Xaxa racked up two goals to her name, leading the forward line with an example. The forward opened the scoring in the crucial Bangladesh game while also finding herself on the scoresheet against the Maldives.
Xaxa has been one of India’s most reliable finishers in the final third. Her quick movements in the opposition box and positioning sense make her a threat to the opposing defenders.
Playing against a team like Bhutan that depends on compact defensive organization, Pyari Xaxa’s intelligent off-the-ball moves and sheer quality to convert half-chances will be vital for the hosts.
Priyangka Devi Naorem
Priyangka Devi Naorem returned to the national team setup after recovering from a grueling ACL injury. She made her comeback memorable in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 with a sublime first-half brace, setting the tone of India’s big-margin victory.
She is the joint second-highest goalscorer for the Blue Tigresses in the competition alongside Pyari Xaxa and Karishma Shirvoikar.
Priyangka Devi Naorem comes with a unique vision and creative flair to break tight defensive lines. The East Bengal FC midfielder operates at the heart of the pitch, and her relentless efforts and intensity throughout the 90 minutes could be decisive in the deciding fixture.
When will India take on Bhutan?
India will take on Bhutan on June 3.
How many goals have India scored in the ongoing SAFF Women’s Championship?
India have scored 15 goals in two matches in the ongoing SAFF Women’s Championship.
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Shibashis is a sports journalist with over three years of experience covering Indian football. His work spans reporting, writing, and editing, with a strong focus on telling stories from across the Indian football landscape. Passionate about both Indian and European football, he continues to build his career by combining sharp reporting with a deep love for the game.