The stage is set for a blockbuster final in the SAFF Women's Championship as five-time champions India take on Bangladesh, winners of the last two editions. The match will be held at Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday, with India seeking to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2019, while Bangladesh aim to create history with a three-peat.
Final Clash Brings Back Memories of 2016
This marks the first time since 2016 that Bangladesh and India will battle for the regional crown in the final. That year, India emerged comfortable victors with a 3-1 win. In the group-stage clash last week, India defeated the defending champions 3-0. However, the final is expected to be a different ball game altogether.
Coaches' Perspectives
India coach Crispin Chettri emphasized the importance of winning the title. "I will only be happy if we can be a champion because nobody talks about the losing finalist," he said. "We can't compare the final with the group stage match. It's a completely different ball game. I think Bangladesh knows its strengths and weaknesses, and so do we. Bangladesh is a good side. We want to go and win and get this championship back home."
Chettri acknowledged his team's poor performance in the semifinal against Bhutan, which they won by a solitary second-half goal. Despite scoring 14 goals in three games and conceding none, the team needs to focus and change their attitude. "Bangladesh will come with a different mindset because they know they have nothing to lose. For us, we have to win. It's about the attitude and how we approach the game," Chettri added.
Key Players to Watch
India's star player, Manisha Kalyan, who plays for Peruvian club Alianza Lima, came on as a second-half substitute in the semifinal along with captain Sangita Basfore, giving India's attack an edge. Chettri confirmed there will be no developmental experiments in the final, and the strongest team will be fielded.
The two teams have been the region's dominant force, winning all seven titles between them. India have a historical advantage, winning 10 of the 13 meetings, with one draw and two losses. However, Bangladesh have stunned India in recent years, winning 3-0 in 2022 and 3-1 in 2024.
Bangladesh's Journey
Bangladesh have stuttered through the tournament, with a 4-2 win over Maldives, a comprehensive loss to India, and a last-gasp semifinal win against Nepal. Coached by Peter Butler, who played for West Ham United in the Premier League, Bangladesh haven't played their best football but know how to get the job done in one-off games.
"Sometimes it's not about playing beautiful football when you are in competition mode, it's about getting over the line," said Butler. "We are in the final. The best teams invariably don't play the greatest football in their journey along the pathway to success in semifinals and final. It's about dealing with the circumstances, managing the conditions, and more importantly, getting the desired result."
Butler added, "The girls have shown tremendous character and resilience. It will be a fresh game, and there will be no correlation with the group game that we lost." The kick-off is at 6.30pm.
