So the SAFF Women's Championship semifinal is almost here and it's India taking on Bhutan on June 3, 2026 . Our team is looking in top form,but knockout games always make me little nervous.
And our journey to semis has been just amazing . First that massive 11-0 win against Maldives,and then a very solid 3-0 against defending champions Bangladesh. Topping Group B with perfect record is no small thing ah.
But the big news now is that forward Manisha Kalyan has finally joined the team in Goa . She was busy with her club commitments with Alianza Lima in Peru but now she is here for the important matches.
And tbh,this is a huge boost for our attack.
Even defender Shilky Devi Hemam is feeling confident about it. She said,“It will be really helpful for us. She is very experienced,and that will come to our aid for the rest of the matches.” And you can feel that confidence in camp.
But we can't take Bhutan lightly . They have really improved their game and reached semifinals after finishing second in Group A. They had a big 4-0 win over Sri Lanka,and their forward Pema Tshering scored a hat-trick in that match only. Definitely one player to watch .
Few things to remember for this match:
- India's historical dominance — India has won both previous matches against Bhutan by an aggregate score of 29-0.
- Bhutan's recent progress — Bhutan has shown improvement,reaching the semifinals after finishing second in Group A .
- Focus on teamwork and quick transitions — Coach Chettri emphasizes unity and effective gameplay.
And even our head coach Crispin Chettri is not taking anything for granted . He said,“We have to approach the match with a winning mentality and give our best . Bhutan have improved with every match.” It shows team is not overconfident.
Honestly,that's the right attitude to have before a big game.
The on-paper record is heavily in our favour,no doubt . But Bhutan is not the same team from years ago. A semifinal is always different kind of pressure… anything can happen on the day,just hoping for a good fight…
