The Indian Women’s football team delivered a dominant display at the PJN Stadium in Margao on Monday, routing Maldives 11-0 in their opening Group B fixture of the 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship.
The massive victory, India’s biggest in the tournament since a 12-0 win over Afghanistan in 2014, underlined the vast gulf between the two sides, ranked 69th and 167th in the FIFA Women’s Rankings respectively.
Aveka Singh was the star of the show, netting four goals including a hat-trick inside 70 minutes.
Priyangka Devi Naorem, returning from an ACL injury, marked her comeback with a brace, while local Goan substitute Karishma Shirvoikar also scored twice to round off a memorable evening. Pyari Xaxa, Grace Dangmei, and Sangita Basfore added further goals as India, coached by Crispin Chettri, maintained a relentless press from start to finish.
The Blue Tigresses went into the break leading 5-0, enjoying 63 percent possession and registering 19 attempts to Maldives’ one. The second half brought no respite for the visitors as India continued to pour forward, with Aveka completing her four-goal haul in the 86th minute with a diving header.
India now sit top of Group B with three points from their opening match. They face Bangladesh at the same venue on Sunday, 31 May, with a potential semi-final spot on the line.
Goalscorers: Priyangka Naorem (11, 21), Pyari Xaxa (28), Aveka Singh (34, 66, 70, 86), Grace Dangmei (40), Karishma Shirvoikar (53, 68), Sangita Basfore (60)
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