Margao: It was a fitting end to an illustrious career as Grace Dangmei lifted the SAFF Women's Championship trophy for India on Saturday, their first title in seven years. The 30-year-old winger, who captained the side in the opening match but was benched for the next two, entered the final with five minutes remaining and received the armband three minutes later when Sangita Basfore left the field. After the 1-0 victory over Nepal, Grace announced her retirement from international football, concluding a journey that began in 2013.
A Career of Achievements
Grace made 95 appearances for India and scored 24 goals. Her accolades include three SAFF Women's Championship titles, two South Asian Games gold medals, a double with FC Nasaf in Uzbekistan, and qualification for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026. She described the recent Asian Cup qualification and the 2019 SAFF Championship under Maymol Rocky as career highlights.
Emotional Farewell
“To end my career by winning the SAFF Championship once again makes this farewell even more special. It is the perfect way to close a chapter that has given me so many unforgettable memories. I will always be proud of everything we achieved together,” Grace told TOI. She added that the decision to retire was difficult, but she felt it was time to pursue other goals beyond football.
Grace chose the SAFF Championship as her final tournament to ensure a positive ending. “I wanted to end my journey in football on a positive note and in a good environment. Making this decision has been very difficult because football has been such a huge part of my life. However, I also feel that there are many things I want to pursue and accomplish beyond football,” she said.
India's victory at Fatorda marked their sixth SAFF Women's Championship title, and Grace's third. Her retirement brings closure to a remarkable 11-year international career that inspired many in women's football.
