India 8 (Alisha Lyngdoh 6’, Abhista Basnett 10’, Pearl Fernandes 16’, 39’, 41’, Divyani Linda 17’, Pritika Barman 25’, 90’)
defeated
Bhutan 0

Akhil Rawat
AIFF Media Team

POKHARA, NEPAL: The Indian U17 women’s team defeated Bhutan 8-0 in their last round-robin fixture of the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship 2026, at the Pokhara Rangasala Stadium on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Pearl Fernandes (16’, 39’, 41’) scored a first-half hat-trick, while Pritika Barman (25’, 90’) got one goal in each half. Alisha Lyngdoh (6’), Abhista Basnett (10’), and Divyani Linda (17’) netted one apiece.

The Young Tigresses have, with this result, secured themselves a spot in the SAFF U19 Women's Championship 2026 final, after Bangladesh defeated hosts Nepal 4-0, in the second match of Wednesday. India, thus finish second on the table with six points from three matches, three behind leaders Bangladesh. The hosts finish third with three points, while Bhutan are rock-bottom with none.

The top two teams, India and Bangladesh, will now cross swords in the final on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 13:45 IST. The match will be streamed live on Sportzworkz YouTube channel.

The Indian U17 women’s team are participating in the higher age-group SAFF U19 Women’s Championship as part of their preparations for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026.

From the very outset, Bhutan were no match for the Pamela Conti-coached Young Tigresses. Alisha Lyngdoh put them ahead in the sixth minute with a well-placed half-volley from outside the box, which was just out of Bhutan goalkeeper Sonam Choden’s reach.

The lead was doubled by Abhista just a few minutes later, when Pritika, who was set free on the right, cut one back for the former to tap in.

Just beyond the quarter-hour mark, Thandamoni Baskey released Pearl through a slick through-pass that put the latter behind a Bhutan defence that was trying to hold a high line. Pearl beat Sonam with ease to score India's third. A minute later, Divyani made it four when she surged forward from the right and slotted it in at the near post.

India goalkeeper Munni barely had a touch of the ball, bar one moment of scare. Under pressure, Alena Devi Sarangthem passed it back to Munni, who found it difficult to control a bouncing ball on an uneven surface. The ball bounced off her leg and headed towards the goal, but the India goalkeeper quickly got back to prevent it from rolling into her own net.

Pritika scored the fifth in the 25th minute when she entered the Nepal box from the right and netted at the far post. In the 38th minute, Pritika turned provider, supplying a low cross to Pearl, who scored into a gaping net.

A couple of minutes later, Pearl completed her hat-trick, tapping the ball in from close range after a set-piece caused some confusion in the Bhutan box.

India coach Conti, who had already brought on midfielder Shveta Rani in place of centre-back Elizabed Lakra, completed her quota of substitutions at half-time itself, introducing forward Valaina Fernandes, right-back Binita Horo, midfielder Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, and handing a debut to centre-back Joyshini Chanu Huidrom.

Buoyed by the changes, India began with a fast tempo, orchestrating attacks in the Bhutan third. However, Redima struck the upright in the first minute of the resumption. The woodwork was disturbed once again when Pritika was freed down the right. She laced it upon entering the box, but it hit the crossbar.

Pritika had a few more opportunities when she was released down the right and had just the goalkeeper to beat. However, she slipped it wide on the hour mark, while she waited too long in the 72nd, before being dispossessed.

The Young Tigresses forward would finally go on to get her second goal in the 90th minute, when Redima set her through, as she jinked past the goalkeeper to finish into an empty net. Pritika was named the Player of the Match.

India U17: Munni (GK), Alena Devi Sarangthem, Elizabed Lakra (Shveta Rani 29’), Divyani Linda (Binita Horo 46’), Thandamoni Baskey, Julan Nongmaithem (C) (Redima Devi Chingkhamayum 46’), Pearl Fernandes (Valaina Fernandes 46’), Pritika Barman, Abhista Basnett (Jyoshini Chanu Huidrom 46’), Alva Devi Senjam, Alisha Lyngdoh.