India begins SAFF U19 Women’s Championship with win against Nepal

India secures a 1-0 victory against Nepal in their SAFF U19 Women's Championship opener, led by Pearl Fernandes' second-half goal.

India began their SAFF U19 Women's Championship 2026 campaign with a 1-0 win against hosts Nepal at the Pokhara Rangasala Stadium here on Saturday.

Pearl Fernandes (49') scored the only goal of the game right after the resumption in the second half.

Although this is an U19 tournament, India have travelled to Pokhara with an U17 squad that is preparing for the AFC U17 Asian Cup, later this year..

Head coach Pamela Conti, who was appointed earlier this month, had her first game in charge, where she handed out junior India debuts to Redima Devi Chingkhamayum and Alva Devi Senjam, both of whom started the game.

On what could only be called a rough pitch, India began with an intent to get the lead early on, looking to play aerial diagonals to prise open the Nepal back-line. Captain Julan Nongmaithem threaded an early through ball with the outside of her boot to Redima, who fell short by about a couple of feet, failing to bring the ball under her control.

Nepal had a chance of their own in the 10th minute, when Barsha Oli played Sahara Limbu through inside the India box, but Elizabed Lakra showed good presence of mind to shield the Nepal forward, allowing India goalkeeper Munni to collect the ball with ease.