“SAFF U17 Women’s Championship: India crowned champions, Bangladesh loss brings tears”

India U17 Women win SAFF title despite heartbreak against Bangladesh.

India’s U17 Women’s team were crowned SAFF U17 Women’s Championship 2025 champions on Sunday, even as they lost a dramatic 4-3 match to Bangladesh in the final round-robin game at Bhutan’s Changlimithang Stadium. The defeat didn’t affect India’s triumph, as the team had already secured five wins from six matches, topping the points table with 15 points.

Bangladesh stunned India within 30 seconds through Purnima Marma, ending India’s clean sheet streak. Anushka Kumari quickly equalised, but Bangladesh took a 3-1 lead by the 48th minute. India staged a late fightback with strikes from Pritika Barman and captain Julan to level at 3-3, only for Sauravi Prity to score the winner for Bangladesh in stoppage time. The loss left Indian players emotional, even as they celebrated the title.

Individually, Anushka Kumari finished as the tournament’s Top Goalscorer with eight goals, while Abhista Basnett was named Most Valuable Player with four goals and three assists.

India will now return to Bengaluru to prepare for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in October, carrying forward the momentum and lessons from their resilient SAFF campaign.