SAFF Women's Championship 2026: Top 3 performers from India vs Bangladesh final
India secured their sixth SAFF Women’s Championship
The Indian Women’s National Football Team thrashed defending champions Bangladesh Women’s in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 final and clinched their sixth SAFF Women’s Championship trophy. From Pyari Xaxa, Sanfida Nongrum, to Lynda Kom, all made it to the scoresheet for India.
Crispin Chettri will be very proud of his side as they dominated the defending champions in both games of the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026.
The Indian women’s football team won their fifth SAFF Women’s Championship title in 2019, and after a long wait, they have now lifted the trophy for a sixth time.
With this triumph, India further cemented their status as the most successful nation in SAFF Women’s Championship history, boasting a record six titles.
With a commanding victory and the SAFF Women’s Championship title secured, India once again proved why they are the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
Here are the top three performers from the thrilling clash between India and Bangladesh.
3. Ritu Porna Chakma – Bangladesh
Ritu Porna Chakma has been one of the standout players from the Bangladesh team in their final match against India. Ritu who won the Golden Boot in the previous edition of the SAFF Women’s Championship has played 41 international games for the national team.
Against India, Ritu Porna Chakma scored the first goal that Panthoi Chanu conceded in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 campaign. It was a crucial equaliser for Bangladesh, arriving in first-half stoppage time (45+1′).
The forward finished the chance with remarkable composure, catching the Indian defence off guard at a time when the hosts looked vulnerable at the back. Her well-taken strike ensured Bangladesh headed into the break level and with renewed confidence.
2. Pyari Xaxa – India
The Indian forward opened the scoring for the Blue Tigresses in the first half, although the goal came with a slice of fortune as her effort took a deflection before finding the back of the net. Nevertheless, it was enough to break the deadlock in the final and give India an early advantage.
Beyond the goal, Pyari Xaxa was a constant threat throughout the match. Her blistering pace, sharp acceleration, and overlapping runs caused numerous problems for the Bangladesh defence, keeping them under pressure and creating space for her teammates in the attacking third.
1. Sanfida Nongrum – India
She has been the heart of the Indian side throughout the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026. From midfield to attack, she has been the one player in Crispin Chettri’s system who has consistently delivered, showcasing her versatility across the pitch.
Sanfida Nongrum has gradually established herself as the standout box-to-box midfielder for the Blue Tigresses, and her partnership with Sangita Basfore has made the team far more threatening in attack.
She scored the equaliser within 50 seconds after the second half had just begun. A cool, composed, and primarily controlled header found the Bangladesh net as India got the lead.
Sanfida Nongrum won the player of the match award because of her immense performances in both the semi-final and the final.
From controlling the tempo of the game to creating those line-breaking passes and switches towards Manisha Kalyan and Aveka Singh in the first half, Sanfia was truly magnificent.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.