Defending champions Bangladesh began their SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 campaign with a 4-2 victory over Maldives in their opening Group B match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, India on Thursday.
The victory confirmed Bangladesh’s place in the semi-finals as Maldives crashed out after suffering defeats in both of their group-stage matches.
Bangladesh made a flying start as Anika Rania Siddiqui opened the scoring in the very first minute. Receiving a pass from Rituporna Chakma, Anika beat her marker brilliantly before finding the net to hand the holders an early advantage.
The women in red and green doubled their lead in the 34th minute through Umehla Marma, who drifted into the penalty area and calmly placed the ball past the Maldives goalkeeper Fathimath Sausan at the near post.
Maldives, however, fought back strongly before the break. Forward Mariyam Noora reduced the deficit in the 43rd minute with a stunning long-range strike that hit the lower woodwork before bouncing into the goal.
The island nation restored parity in the 57th minute when Aminath Fazla scored with a fine finish into the far corner, leaving Bangladesh goalkeeper Mile Akter with no chance despite a full-stretch dive.
Bangladesh regained control midway through the second half as substitute Sauravi Akanda Prity restored the lead in the 64th minute with a close-range finish.
Defender Kohati Kisku sealed the victory deep into stoppage time, heading home from a Rituporna corner five minutes into added time to ensure Bangladesh collected all three points.
Bangladesh will now face five-time champions India in their second and final group-stage match on Sunday. India also made an emphatic start to the tournament, thrashing Maldives 11-0 in their opening fixture.
Six nations are competing in this year’s tournament, divided into two groups. Bangladesh, India and Maldives are placed in Group B, while Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka make up Group A.
In Thursday’s other match, Bhutan defeated Sri Lanka 4-0 at the same venue.
The semi-finals are scheduled for June 3, while the final will take place on June 6.
Bangladesh won their maiden SAFF Women’s Championship title in 2022 and successfully defended the crown in 2024, beating hosts Nepal in the final on both occasions.