The Indian U-17 Women’s Football Team defeated Bhutan 8-0 in their final round-robin match of the 2026 SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship, at the Pokhara Rangasala Stadium on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Pearl Fernandes (16′, 39′, 41′) scored a hat-trick in the first half, while Pritika Barman (25′, 90′) scored one goal in each half. Alisha Lyngdoh (6′), Abhista Basnett (10′) and Divyani Linda (17′) scored one each.
The Young Tigresses secured a spot in the final of the 2026 SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship with this result after Bangladesh defeated hosts Nepal 4-0 in Wednesday’s second match. India thus finishes second in the rankings with six points from three matches, three behind leader Bangladesh. The home team finishes third with three points, while Bhutan is at a low point with zero points.
The top two teams, India and Bangladesh, will now cross swords in the final on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 1:45 PM IST. The match will be streamed live on the Sportzworkz YouTube channel.
The Indian U17 Women’s team will participate in the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship in the senior age group as part of their preparations for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026.
From the very beginning, Bhutan was no match for the Pamela Conti-coached Young Tigresses. Alisha Lyngdoh put them ahead in the sixth minute with a well-placed half-volley from outside the penalty area, which was just beyond the reach of Bhutanese goalkeeper Sonam Choden.
The lead was doubled just a few minutes later by Abhista as Pritika, released on the right, pulled one back for the former to tap home.
Just after the fifteen minute mark, Thandamoni Baskey released Pearl with a slick pass, putting the latter behind a Bhutanese defense trying to hold a high line. Pearl defeated Sonam with ease to score India’s third-place finish. A minute later, Divyani made it four when she burst forward from the right and fired the ball home at the near post.
Indian goalkeeper Munni had barely touched the ball, except for one moment of shock. Under pressure, Alena Devi Sarangthem handed the ball back to Munni, who found it difficult to control a bouncing ball on an uneven surface. The ball bounced off her leg towards the goal, but the Indian goalkeeper quickly returned to prevent the ball from rolling into her own net.
Pritika scored the fifth in the 25th minute when she entered Nepal’s penalty area from the right and scored off the far post. In the 38th minute, Pritika turned provider and delivered a low cross to Pearl, who scored into a gaping net.
A few minutes later, Pearl completed her hat-trick by tapping the ball in from close range after a set-piece caused some confusion in the Bhutanese penalty area.
India coach Conti, who had already deployed midfielder Shveta Rani in place of centre-back Elizabed Lakra, completed her quota of substitutions at half-time itself by introducing forward Valaina Fernandes, right-back Binita Horo and midfielder Redima Devi Chingkhamayum and giving a debut to centre-back Joyshini Chanu Huidrom.
Buoyed by the changes, India started at a rapid pace, orchestrating attacks in the third Bhutan. However, Redima shot against the post in the first minute of the restart. The woodwork was disturbed again as Pritika was released on the right. She tied the lace as she entered the penalty area, but the ball hit the crossbar.
Pritika had a few more chances when she was released down the right and just beat the goalkeeper. However, she slipped wide after the hour mark, waiting too long before being dispossessed in the 72nd.
The Young Tigresses forward would eventually score her second goal in the 90th minute when Redima put her through as she limped past the goalkeeper and finished into an empty net. Pritika was named Player of the Match.
India U17: Munni (GK), Alena Devi Sarangthem, Elizabed Lakra (Shveta Rani 29′), Divyani Linda (Binita Horo 46′), Thandamoni Baskey, Julan Nongmaithem (C) (Redima Devi Chingkhamayum 46′), Pearl Fernandes (Valaina Fernandes 46′), Pritika Barman, Abhista Basnett (Jyoshini Chanu Huidrom 46′), Alva Devi Senjam, Alisha Lyngdoh.
AIFF media
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