NT Reporter
Fatorda
India women’s national football team opened their SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 campaign thrashing Maldives 11-0 in a Group B clash at Fatorda.
Playing their first international match in Goa, the Blue Tigresses dominated from start to finish and recorded their biggest win in the competition since defeating Afghanistan 12-0 in 2014. Aveka Singh starred with four goals, while Priyangka Devi Naorem and Karishma Shirvoikar netted braces. Pyari Xaxa, Grace Dangmei and Sangita Basfore also found the target.
India set the tone early with aggressive pressing and quick movement down the flanks. Priyangka opened the scoring in the 11th minute from a short-corner routine before doubling the lead after being played through by Aveka. Pyari curled in the third in the 28th minute, while Aveka struck directly from a long-range free-kick six minutes later. Grace added another from a set-piece as India entered halftime with a commanding 5-0 advantage.
The hosts continued their attacking surge after the restart. Sarita Yumnam delivered a cross for Karishma to head home before Sangita fired in from the edge of the box. Aveka scored with a powerful header from a corner and later completed her hat-trick with a composed finish inside the area. Karishma added her second on the counterattack before Aveka sealed the rout with a diving header in the 86th minute.
