KEY POINTS
- Rare pre-match handshake and gift exchange between Indian and Pakistani captains.
- India staged comeback from 3-1 down, with Diti Kanungo scoring two late goals to win 5-3.
BANGKOK: India mounted a second-half comeback to defeat Pakistan 5–3 in a SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship 2026 match at Nonthaburi Stadium on Monday, overturning a two-goal deficit with late strikes from Diti Kanungo to secure their second win of the tournament.
The victory was sealed by Diti Kanungo’s late double, but it was a pre-match handshake that captured significant attention.
Gesture before the battle
Before the high-octane fixture commenced, a moment of camaraderie broke through the intense competitive atmosphere. Pakistan captain Kaya Bokhari and Indian skipper Jigmet Chunzen met at the centre of the court for a traditional handshake.
Bokhari further presented Chunzen with a cultural souvenir, marking a notable and rare public display of fellowship between athletes from the two nations in recent times.
This gesture stood in stark contrast to the noticeable avoidance of handshakes during the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, where captains from both sides had notably not exchanged the customary pleasantries.
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Rollercoaster on the court
Once play began, Pakistan seized early control. Captain Bokhari opened the scoring in the 4th minute. India’s Arya More equalized ten minutes later, sending the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.
Pakistan stormed ahead after the break, with quickfire goals from Azwa Chaudhry (26th minute) and Anmol Hira (27th minute) establishing a commanding 3-1 lead.
However, India displayed remarkable resilience, striking back immediately through Ritika Singh (28th minute) and Khushbu Saroj (29th minute) to level the score once more.
With the game poised at 3-3, Diti Kanungo emerged as the hero for India. She netted the decisive go-ahead goal in the 37th minute and sealed the sensational comeback with another in the 40th minute, completing a 5-3 victory.
Tournament implications
The win marks India’s second victory in the tournament, significantly boosting their chances of securing a semi-final berth.
For Pakistan, the defeat is their first in the competition, halting an unbeaten run that included a draw against Bhutan and convincing wins over Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
While Kanungo’s strikes decided the match on the scoreboard, the respectful prelude between the captains offered a powerful reminder of the sportsmanship that underpins one of sport’s most intense rivalries.
