India’s campaign at the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 could not have begun in a more dominant manner. In front of an energetic crowd at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, the Blue Tigresses delivered a ruthless attacking display to dismantle Maldives 11-0 in their Group B opener on Monday. The emphatic victory not only placed India at the top of the standings but also sent out a strong statement to the rest of the tournament contenders.
For Indian women’s football, the night in Goa carried added significance. It marked the national team’s first-ever international fixture in the coastal state, and the players ensured the occasion turned into a memorable celebration. Ranked 69th in the FIFA Women’s Rankings, India completely outclassed a Maldives side placed 167th, dominating possession, creating relentless attacking waves, and rarely allowing the opposition a moment of comfort.
India looked dangerous from the opening whistle and nearly found the breakthrough inside the first five minutes when Pyari Xaxa tapped the ball into the net after a clever setup from captain Grace Dangmei. However, the effort was ruled out for offside. The disallowed goal did little to slow India’s momentum.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 11th minute through Priyangka Devi Naorem, who made an emotional return to the national side after recovering from an ACL injury. The midfielder calmly finished from close range to put India ahead before doubling the advantage just six minutes later with another composed strike inside the penalty area.
India’s attacking pressure continued to suffocate Maldives as Pyari Xaxa added the third goal in the 28th minute with a powerful long-range attempt that slipped beyond the goalkeeper. Soon after, Aveka Singh announced herself on the scoresheet with a stunning free kick that curled into the net. Captain Grace Dangmei then joined the party before halftime, ensuring India carried a commanding 5-0 lead into the break.
While the first half showcased India’s sharp attacking combinations, the second half turned into a complete exhibition of dominance. Karishma Shirvoikar netted twice, Sangita Basfore added another, and Aveka Singh elevated her performance to another level by completing a four-goal haul. The 22-year-old midfielder finished the night with four goals and two assists, emerging as the standout performer of the contest.
Aveka’s movement, vision, and finishing repeatedly tore apart the Maldivian defence. Her goals in the 66th, 70th, and 86th minutes reflected India’s relentless approach even after establishing a huge lead. The Blue Tigresses pressed aggressively, attacked from wide areas, and consistently overloaded the Maldives backline with pace and creativity.
The victory was India’s biggest win in the SAFF Women’s Championship since their historic 12-0 triumph over Afghanistan in 2014. Record five-time champions India once again demonstrated why they remain one of the strongest teams in South Asian women’s football.
Earlier in the day, Nepal had edged Bhutan 1-0 in a Group A fixture, but India’s overwhelming victory quickly became the headline performance of the tournament’s opening day. With three points and a massive goal difference advantage, India now sits comfortably atop Group B. The Blue Tigresses will next face reigning champions Bangladesh at the same venue on Sunday in what is expected to be a much sterner challenge. Interestingly, if Maldives fail to beat Bangladesh on May 28, India will secure qualification for the semifinals even before stepping onto the pitch for their second match.
Although the scoreline reflected total dominance, reports suggested head coach Crispin Chettri still expects higher standards from his side as the competition progresses. With tougher tests awaiting in the later stages, India will look to build on this explosive start and continue their march toward another SAFF Women’s Championship title.
