MARGAO, INDIA: After a long time, there is a sense of momentum around the Indian women’s football team. The Blue Tigresses have reached the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship, scored 15 goals in four matches and showcased a squad that looks deeper and more balanced than in previous campaigns.
From dominant victories over Maldives and Bangladesh to a hard-fought win over Bhutan in the semifinal, there have been plenty of signs that this team is moving in the right direction. Yet perhaps the most encouraging aspect of India’s campaign is that it has not been perfect.
For all the goals, victories and moments of brilliance, the tournament has also highlighted areas where the Blue Tigresses can continue to improve. In many ways, that is what makes this campaign so important. Rather than the end of a journey, it feels like the beginning of one.
India are more than just a goalscoring side
India’s attacking football has undoubtedly been one of the stories of the tournament. The Blue Tigresses have looked confident in possession, created chances consistently and found goals from different areas of the pitch. More importantly, they have not relied on a single player to carry the burden.
Different players have stepped up in different moments, reflecting the growing depth within the squad. Whether it has been Sanfida Nongrum delivering in the semifinal, Panthoi Chanu producing crucial saves when called upon or substitutes changing games from the bench, this tournament has showcased a side that is beginning to function as a collective. That may be the biggest positive of all.
Learning from the Bhutan test
The semifinal against Bhutan was a very different challenge from the matches that came before it. India were no longer facing a side willing to trade attacks. Instead, they came up against a disciplined team determined to frustrate them.
Chances were harder to come by, mistakes became more noticeable, and patience became just as important as quality. While Nongrum’s goal eventually secured a place in the final, the match also exposed areas that still require attention.
India missed opportunities that could have made the evening more comfortable and occasionally looked vulnerable when Bhutan broke forward. Those moments should not overshadow the victory, but they do offer valuable lessons for a side aiming to grow beyond South Asian football.
The importance of competition within the squad
One of the clearest signs of progress throughout the tournament has been the impact of India’s squad depth. Players coming off the bench have consistently influenced matches, whether through energy, creativity or composure. The introduction of Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Malavika Prasad and Sangita Basfore against Bhutan demonstrated the value of having multiple options up your sleeve.
Strong teams are rarely built around eleven players alone. They are built around squads capable of adapting to different situations. India’s performances in Goa suggest that the Blue Tigresses are moving closer to that reality.
They are winning, but are people watching?
For all the positives on the pitch, the same cannot always be said about the stands. Despite India’s impressive performances and free entry offered throughout the tournament, attendance figures in Margao have remained underwhelming. The Blue Tigresses have entertained, scored goals and reached another final, yet too often they have done so in front of rows of empty seats.
Women footballers are frequently asked to prove their worth before receiving support. India’s players have done exactly that over the past few weeks. They have given supporters reasons to believe, reasons to celebrate and reasons to return. The question now is whether that support will follow. Touted as one of the biggest football hubs of India, Goa must live up to its name.
Looking beyond South Asia
Winning the SAFF Women’s Championship would be a significant achievement for this group, but it should not be the final measure of success. The real challenge lies in building on this momentum. Becoming more clinical in front of goal, reducing defensive lapses and continuing to develop squad depth are all part of the next phase of growth.
India’s campaign in Margao has shown that the foundations are being laid. It has shown a team capable of playing an entertaining brand of football, overcoming difficult moments and finding different ways to win. The Blue Tigresses have taken another step forward.
The task now is ensuring that this progress becomes sustainable, not temporary. Because while a sixth SAFF title would be worth celebrating, the greater ambition lies beyond regional dominance. And for this Indian side, that journey is only just beginning.
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