India’s women’s football team began their SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 campaign with a commanding 11-0 victory over Maldives in Group B at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Tuesday.
Midfielder Aveka Singh emerged as the standout performer with four goals, while Priyangka Naorem and Karishma Shirvoikar scored braces each.
Pyari Xaxa, Dangmei Grace and Sangita Basfore also contributed to the scoreline as the hosts overwhelmed the 167th-ranked Maldives from the opening whistle. Ranked 69th in the world, India dominated possession, pressed aggressively and exposed the vast gulf in quality between the two sides.
The emphatic result comes as India seek to reclaim the SAFF Women’s Championship title from defending champions Bangladesh, whom they face next in a highly anticipated group-stage clash.
While officials from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) praised the team’s discipline and attacking intent, fans and analysts online described the performance as a “statement win” but cautioned that tougher tests still await against stronger opposition in the region.
Aveka Singh Powers India
The opening fixture in Goa quickly turned into a one-sided contest as India asserted control through relentless pressing, fluid passing and clinical finishing. The Blue Tigresses barely allowed Maldives time on the ball, with their attacking players rotating positions and constantly stretching the opposition defence.
Even before the opening goal, India had signalled their attacking intent when Pyari Xaxa had an effort ruled out, but the breakthrough soon arrived as Priyangka Naorem marked her return from a serious ACL injury with a composed finish. Her second goal before half-time effectively ended the contest and drew emotional reactions from fans, many of whom celebrated her comeback journey on social media platforms.
The night, however, belonged to 22-year-old Aveka Singh, who produced one of the standout individual performances of the tournament so far. Singh scored four goals and repeatedly troubled the Maldives defence with her movement through central and wide areas.
Her sharp finishing, intelligent positioning and ability to link midfield transitions gave India a cutting edge that Maldives struggled to contain throughout the match. Karishma Shirvoikar added two more goals, while Dangmei Grace, Sangita Basfore and Pyari Xaxa completed the scoring as India maintained their attacking intensity even with a comfortable lead.
Following the match, AIFF officials and members of the coaching staff praised the team’s discipline and composure. According to reports, team representatives highlighted that the result reflected the growing confidence within Indian women’s football and the players’ commitment to maintaining high standards regardless of the opposition.
Football analysts also noted India’s tactical organisation, particularly their high pressing structure and quick passing combinations around the penalty area, which prevented Maldives from building momentum at any stage of the game.
The atmosphere in Margao also reflected the growing visibility of women’s football in India. Supporters in the stadium and online welcomed the attacking display as a positive sign for the sport’s development, especially with Goa hosting a major women’s football event.
Across YouTube streams, football forums and X, fans praised the team’s energy and cohesion, with several users calling Aveka Singh’s performance a “breakout moment” for Indian women’s football. However, many also pointed out that India’s true challenge lies ahead against defending champions Bangladesh, whose rise in recent years has reshaped the balance of power in South Asian women’s football.
Rising Expectations In Women’s Football
India’s emphatic victory over Maldives highlights not only the team’s regional dominance but also the increasing expectations surrounding women’s football in the country. Historically, India have been among the strongest sides in South Asia and have won the SAFF Women’s Championship five times.
Yet, despite regional success, critics have often questioned the team’s ability to compete consistently against stronger Asian opponents outside the SAFF circuit. Tuesday’s performance suggested improvements in tactical maturity, attacking depth and overall organisation, areas that Indian women’s football has been striving to strengthen in recent years.
The result also comes at a time when conversations around investment, infrastructure and visibility in women’s sports are gaining momentum across India.
Players such as Priyangka Naorem overcoming major injuries and returning strongly to international competition have become important narratives within the sport, particularly in a system where access to elite rehabilitation and long-term support remains uneven.
Similarly, the emergence of younger talents like Aveka Singh points to the growing pool of skilled footballers coming through the domestic structure.
At the same time, analysts have cautioned against reading too much into the scoreline alone. Maldives remain among the lower-ranked teams in the region, and India’s next fixture against reigning champions Bangladesh is expected to provide a far more accurate measure of the team’s progress.
Bangladesh’s recent rise, driven by improved youth development and tactical discipline, has intensified regional competition and added greater significance to matches between the two sides. The upcoming encounter is therefore being viewed not just as a group-stage game, but as a contest that could shape the broader narrative of the tournament.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
India’s 11-0 victory is undoubtedly a proud moment for women’s football and reflects the talent, discipline and resilience within the national team. Beyond the scoreline, stories such as Priyangka Naorem’s return from injury and Aveka Singh’s emergence as a rising star show how women athletes continue to overcome structural challenges while inspiring a new generation of players and supporters.
At a time when women’s sport still receives far less visibility, funding and institutional support than men’s competitions, performances like these help shift public attention towards the importance of equal opportunities and long-term investment.
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