India’s campaign at the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship 2026 took a sharp turn on Monday as the Young Tigresses went down 0–2 to Bangladesh at the Pokhara Rangasala Stadium in Nepal.
The result leaves India in a tight race for the second spot in the final, despite having opened the tournament with a morale-boosting 1–0 win over hosts Nepal.
The defeat, while disappointing on the scoreboard, has to be read in context. India are not fielding a conventional U-19 squad at this event. Instead, the All India Football Federation has sent its U-17 national team, using the tournament as preparation for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup later this year. That strategic choice has meant India are facing opponents who are, on average, older, stronger and more physically developed a factor that was clearly evident against a powerful Bangladeshi side.
Bangladesh assert their dominance
Bangladesh, five-time champions of the SAFF U-19 competition, underlined why they remain the region’s benchmark. They had already demolished Bhutan 12–0 in their opener and carried that momentum into the clash with India.
The breakthrough came in the 29th minute when Aprita Biswas capitalised on a loose ball inside the penalty area to give Bangladesh the lead. India had started the match brightly and even created a couple of early half-chances, but once Bangladesh began to impose their physical and tactical authority, the game swung firmly in their favour.
Just before the interval, Alpi Akter struck a second blow, doubling Bangladesh’s advantage and leaving India with a steep hill to climb in the second half. That 2–0 scoreline held firm till the final whistle, as Bangladesh expertly managed the game, keeping India’s younger forwards at bay. With two wins from two matches, Bangladesh have now booked their place in the final, extending their dominance in South Asian women’s age-group football.
India’s developmental gamble
India’s participation in this U-19 event with a U-17 squad is part of a larger long-term plan. Newly appointed head coach Pamela Conti has used the tournament to expose her players to the intensity, pace and physicality they will face at the Asian level later this year. That context is crucial when evaluating the defeat. Against Nepal in their opener, India’s youth and energy paid off, with Pearl Fernandes scoring the decisive goal in a 1–0 win. Against Bangladesh, however, the limitations of a younger squad became more visible, especially in handling pressure, second balls and physical duels.
Despite the loss, there were positive signs. India tried to play on the front foot in the opening stages and showed tactical discipline in the second half, when they avoided conceding further goals. For Conti, this kind of test is invaluable as she assesses which players can cope with higher-level competition.
Where the group stands
With Bangladesh already through, the focus now shifts to who will join them in the final on February 7. After two rounds of matches, the standings are delicately poised:
- Bangladesh – 6 points (qualified)
- India – 3 points
- Nepal – 3 points
- Bhutan – 0 points
India and Nepal are level on points, but crucially, India beat Nepal 1–0 in their head-to-head meeting. That gives the Young Tigresses an important edge if the teams finish tied.
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The final group matches on Wednesday, February 4 will decide everything:
- India vs Bhutan
- Nepal vs Bangladesh
India’s task is simple in theory: beat Bhutan and hope Bangladesh avoid losing to Nepal. If Nepal draw or lose to Bangladesh, India will finish second and qualify for the final thanks to their head-to-head win over Nepal. However, football rarely follows scripts. Bhutan, though winless so far, will be desperate to salvage pride after heavy defeats, and Nepal will throw everything at Bangladesh in front of home support.
Even if India do not reach the final, the tournament remains a valuable part of their Asian Cup preparation. Playing against older opponents in competitive conditions gives young players a sharper learning curve than age-group friendlies ever could. Bangladesh’s rise, meanwhile, highlights how South Asian women’s football is evolving. Their physicality, tactical organisation and continuity at youth level are paying dividends, and they are no longer just regional heavyweights but a side with growing continental ambitions.
For India, the challenge is to ensure that this talented U-17 group gains enough exposure and resilience to compete with Asia’s best later this year. The loss to Bangladesh is a reminder of the gap that still needs to be bridged but also a step in the process of closing it.
All eyes now turn to Wednesday. A win over Bhutan could yet keep India’s SAFF dream alive and, regardless of the outcome, every minute on the pitch in Pokhara is shaping the next generation of Indian women’s football.
