India produced a dominant display to defeat defending champions Bangladesh 4–0 in the final of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship at the Pokhara Rangasala Stadium in Nepal on Saturday, reclaiming the title after two years.
Captain Julan Nongmaithem gave India the breakthrough just before halftime, finishing calmly after a clever layoff from Pritika Barman following a well-worked move involving Alva Devi Senjam.
Bangladesh, who had beaten India 2–0 in the league stage and entered the final unbeaten, missed a crucial chance early in the second half when Trishna Rani dragged her shot wide. India capitalised moments later. In the 63rd minute, Senjam earned a penalty after pressuring goalkeeper Mst Yearzan Begum, and Elizabed Lakra converted confidently to double the lead.
India’s intensity continued to unsettle the Bangladeshi defence. Pearl Fernandes, the tournament’s second-highest scorer, pressed high and intercepted a poor clearance from the goalkeeper to score India’s third. Substitute Anwita Raghuraman completed the rout in the 83rd minute, finishing from close range after a low cross from Senjam.
Coached by Pamela Conti, India fielded a largely U-17 squad as part of preparations for upcoming continental competitions. The emphatic victory not only avenged their earlier loss to Bangladesh but also underlined India’s growing depth and tactical maturity at the age-group level.
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SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship 2026: Final Result
Bangladesh 0 lost to India 4 (Julan Nongmaithem 42’, Elizabed Lakra 63’ p, Pearl Fernandes 68’, Anwita Raghuraman 83’)
The SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship 2026 was the 7th edition of the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship, an international youth football tournament contested by women’s under-19 national teams from South Asia and organised by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). The tournament was held in Pokhara, Nepal, from 31 January to 7 February 2026, with four national teams participated.
