In a stunning display of resilience and determination, the Indian women's futsal team orchestrated a remarkable comeback to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in the SAFF Women's Futsal Championship 2026. The match, held at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Thailand on Monday, January 19, 2026, saw India overcome a two-goal deficit to secure a crucial victory.
Pakistan started strongly, with Kayanat Bokhari scoring in the 4th minute to give her team an early lead. India responded in the 14th minute through Arya More, leveling the score. The first half ended with a 1-1 tie, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
The second half saw Pakistan regain the lead, with Azwa Chaudhry scoring in the 26th minute, followed by Anmol Hira in the 27th minute. Trailing 3-1, India faced an uphill battle. However, the Indian team displayed incredible fighting spirit, scoring four goals in the final 12 minutes of the match. Ritika Singh scored in the 28th minute, and Khushbu Saroj added another in the 29th minute, bringing the score level. Diti Kanungo then scored twice in the 37th and 40th minutes, completing the comeback and securing a 5-3 victory for India.
This victory marks India's second win in the SAFF Women's Futsal Championship 2026 and significantly boosts their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. With this win, the "Futsal Tigresses" are at the top of the table with nine points from four games. Pakistan, who had an unbeaten run in the tournament before this match, suffered their first defeat.
Before the match, a heartwarming display of sportsmanship was witnessed as Pakistan captain Kayanat Bokhari and Indian counterpart Jigmet Chunzen shook hands and exchanged a cultural souvenir. This gesture was particularly significant, considering the strained sporting relations between the two countries in recent years. The SAFF Futsal Championship 2026 is the inaugural edition of the tournament, organized by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). The tournament is being held in Bangkok, Thailand, from January 14–26, 2026.
