The game against Maldives in the SAFF Women’s Championship marked the first time the Indian women’s football team played a match in Goa. | Photo Credit: AIFF/X

The Indian senior women’s team began its SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion with a commanding 11-0 victory against Maldives in Group B at the PJN Stadium in Margao on Monday.

Playing their first-ever international match in Goa, the Blue Tigresses underlined the gulf between the two sides — India ranked 69th in the FIFA Women’s Rankings and Maldives 167th — with a dominant display from start to finish.

Earlier in the day, Nepal opened the tournament with a 1-0 win against Bhutan in a Group A encounter.

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Aveka Singh starred with four goals, while Priyangka Devi Naorem and Karishma Shirvoikar netted two each. Pyari Xaxa, Grace Dangmei and Sangita Basfore also found the scoresheet as India registered its biggest win in the SAFF Women’s Championship since the 12-0 triumph against Afghanistan in 2014.

The result placed India at the top of Group B with three points from its opening match. The Blue Tigresses will next face Bangladesh at the same venue on Sunday.

Should Maldives fail to defeat Bangladesh in its next match on May 28, India will qualify for the semifinals before Sunday’s game.

Published on May 25, 2026