Bangladesh make history with emphatic win over Maldives in SAFF women’s futsal

Bangladesh created history by winning the first-ever SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship, held in Bangkok, Thailand. On Sunday, January 25, Bangladesh thrashed Maldives 14–2 in the sixth and final round-robin match to secure the title unbeaten.

Despite conceding an early goal at the Nonthaburi Hall in Bangkok, the team led by Sabina Khatun and Masura Parvin quickly took control of the match. With five wins and one draw from six matches, Bangladesh finished top of the table with 16 points to clinch the championship.

Earlier, a dominant 9–1 victory over Pakistan had placed Bangladesh firmly on course for the title.

Bangladesh displayed commanding performances throughout the tournament. In the Pakistan match on Friday, captain Sabina Khatun scored four goals, while Nusrat Jahan netted twice and Krishna Rani Sarkar also found the scoresheet as Bangladesh led 6–0 at half-time.

Bangladesh needed only a draw against Maldives to secure the title, but opted for a resounding victory to lift the trophy in the new futsal format.

Coached by Said Khodrahmi, Bangladesh finished ahead of strong sides such as India and Bhutan. They opened the tournament with a 3–1 win over India, drew 3–3 with Bhutan, and went on to defeat Nepal 3–0, Sri Lanka 6–2, and Pakistan 9–1.

Following the Pakistan win, Bangladesh topped the seven-team table with 13 points, further boosting confidence ahead of the final match.

This historic triumph adds a new chapter to Bangladesh’s dominance in South Asian women’s football, following their back-to-back SAFF Women’s Championship titles. Captain Sabina Khatun’s leadership and consistent brilliance played a decisive role in the unbeaten campaign, marking a memorable milestone in the country’s women’s football history.