Bangkok, Thailand: The Nonthaburi Indoor Stadium saw a topsy turvy encounter as India fought back to break Pakistan hearts in the 2026 SAFF Futsal Championship – Women’s event. Pakistan women futsal team were at one stage 3-1 up only for India to fight back and win 5-3, scoring 4 goals in 12 minutes.
Pakistan got off to a stunning start with captain Kayanat Bokhari smashing in the first goal from distance after 4 minutes. India soon responded 10 minutes later with Arya Dhanaji More scoring the equalizer. With the score 1-1 at half time, it was all to play for in 2nd period with Pakistan often coming close to scoring.
Pakistan then scored two quickfire goals courtesy Azwa Chaudhry and Anmol Hira to lead 3-1 by the 27th minute, only for India to ramp up the pressure and forcing mistakes of Pakistan’s defence. Ritika Singh and Khushbu Kashiram Saroj soon made it 3-3 by the 29th minute.
Pakistan could have regained the lead but it was India who made it 4-3 through Diti Kamlesh Kanungo making a smart finish past Pakistan goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj. With Pakistan now chasing an equalizer with seconds left on the clock, a defensive mistake allowed Kanungo to make it 5-3 in favour of India.
This was Pakistan women’s futsal team’s first ever international defeat and a bitter lesson to learn moving forward. The other results in the women’s event saw Bangladesh beat Nepal 3-0 and Bhutan thrash Sri Lanka 5-1.
Tomorrow, the men’s event returns with Pakistan taking on Nepal at 12:00pm PKT.
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