Indian Women's Football Team Dominates in SAFF Opener with 11-0 Victory

The Indian women's football team began its SAFF Women's Championship 2026 campaign victoriously, defeating the Maldives 11-0 in their opening match in Margao, Goa. Aveka Singh led with four goals, while Priyangka Naorem, Karishma, Pyari Xaxa, Dangmei Grace, and Sangita Basfore also starred in the commanding win.

The Indian women's football team kicked off their SAFF Women's Championship 2026 campaign with a resounding 11-0 victory against the Maldives in their Group B opener at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Monday. Star forward Aveka Singh emerged as the standout performer, netting four goals at intervals throughout the match.

Ranked 69th in FIFA's world rankings, India took control from the whistle, offering little reprieve to the 167th-ranked Maldives. Within five minutes, Pyari Xaxa almost put India ahead, but her goal was disallowed due to offside. Persistence paid off as Priyangka Devi, returning from an injury, tapped in from close range to open the scoring.

Despite initial setbacks, India continued their aggressive play. Priyangka Naorem added her second goal with a precise finish, while Xaxa secured another soon after. Aveka Singh, through exceptional playmaking, added to the goal tally with three more in the second half and contributed two key assists to cement India's overwhelming triumph.