The India women’s national football team made a stunning start to their SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 campaign with a crushing 11-0 victory against Maldives women’s national football team in Group B at the PJN Stadium in Margao on Monday.
Playing their first-ever international match in Goa, the Blue Tigresses completely dominated proceedings and showcased the significant difference in quality between the two sides. India entered the tournament ranked 69th in the FIFA Women’s Rankings, while Maldives came in at 167th.
India attacked relentlessly from the opening whistle and never allowed Maldives any opportunity to settle into the contest. The victory also marked India’s biggest win in the tournament since their memorable 12-0 triumph against Afghanistan in 2014.
Young forward Aveka Singh delivered a standout performance by scoring four goals, emerging as the star of the night for the hosts. Midfielders Priyangka Devi Naorem and Karishma Shirvoikar added two goals each as India overwhelmed the Maldivian defence throughout the match.
The scoring spree was further extended by Pyari Xaxa, Grace Dangmei and Sangita Basfore, who also got their names on the scoresheet in a one-sided affair.
The emphatic result placed India at the top of Group B with three points from its opening match and immediately strengthened its hopes of progressing deep into the tournament.
Earlier in the day, Nepal women’s national football team kicked off the competition with a narrow 1-0 victory over Bhutan women’s national football team in a Group A clash.
India’s next challenge will come against defending regional rivals Bangladesh women’s national football team at the same venue on Sunday. The Blue Tigresses could secure a semifinal spot even before that encounter if Maldives fail to beat Bangladesh in their upcoming match on May 28.
The dominant opening performance has already sent a strong message to the rest of the tournament contenders, with India appearing determined to reclaim regional supremacy in South Asian women’s football.
