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Deadspin | Revolution bid to stay perfect at home vs. Crew Apr 4, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution defender Mamadou Fofana (2) reacts with defender Brayan Ceballos (3) after scoring a goal during the second half against CF Montréal at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images The New England Revolution set out to continue their dominant home form when they host the Columbus Crew on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass. The home/away splits are as stark as they come for New England (3-3-0, 9 points). The Revolution have been outscored 8-2 while going 0-3-0 on the road, but are 3-0-0 with a 10-1 goal differential on their own field. New England hasn’t allowed a goal in either of its last two home matches, which defender Mamadou Fofana felt was due to a strong effort from the entire lineup. “We are a team. So it’s (from) the defense up to the striker … To win the game with a clean sheet, it is perfect,” Fofana said. The offensive credit has also been spread around, as New England’s 12 goals have come from nine different players. Brayan Ceballos, Peyton Miller and Alhassan Yusuf share the team lead with two goals apiece. By contrast, five of the Crew’s nine goals this season were scored by striker Wessam Abou Ali, who sustained a season-ending torn ACL in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Orlando City. “When you don’t have Wes … we don’t need to change everything, but of course we need to find other ways to get more out of more players,” Columbus coach Henrik Rydstrom said. Diego Rossi has three goals for Columbus (1-3-3, 6 points), and Max Arfsten is the only other Crew player to score. Abou Ali’s injury is an unwelcome obstacle for a team that seemed to be finding its form. The Crew were winless (0-3-2) in their first five matches before recording a 3-1 road win over Atlanta United on April 4 and then overcoming the loss of Abou Ali to salvage the draw with Orlando. Forward Jamal Thiare left Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup match with an apparent leg injury and is questionable for Saturday. The Crew are 8-2-6 in their last 16 matches with the Revolution (regular season plus playoffs) and 3-0-2 in their last five trips to Foxborough. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Revolution #bid #stay #perfect #home #Crew

Deadspin | Revolution bid to stay perfect at home vs. Crew
Deadspin | Revolution bid to stay perfect at home vs. Crew Apr 4, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution defender Mamadou Fofana (2) reacts with defender Brayan Ceballos (3) after scoring a goal during the second half against CF Montréal at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images The New England Revolution set out to continue their dominant home form when they host the Columbus Crew on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass. The home/away splits are as stark as they come for New England (3-3-0, 9 points). The Revolution have been outscored 8-2 while going 0-3-0 on the road, but are 3-0-0 with a 10-1 goal differential on their own field. New England hasn’t allowed a goal in either of its last two home matches, which defender Mamadou Fofana felt was due to a strong effort from the entire lineup. “We are a team. So it’s (from) the defense up to the striker … To win the game with a clean sheet, it is perfect,” Fofana said. The offensive credit has also been spread around, as New England’s 12 goals have come from nine different players. Brayan Ceballos, Peyton Miller and Alhassan Yusuf share the team lead with two goals apiece. By contrast, five of the Crew’s nine goals this season were scored by striker Wessam Abou Ali, who sustained a season-ending torn ACL in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Orlando City. “When you don’t have Wes … we don’t need to change everything, but of course we need to find other ways to get more out of more players,” Columbus coach Henrik Rydstrom said. Diego Rossi has three goals for Columbus (1-3-3, 6 points), and Max Arfsten is the only other Crew player to score. Abou Ali’s injury is an unwelcome obstacle for a team that seemed to be finding its form. The Crew were winless (0-3-2) in their first five matches before recording a 3-1 road win over Atlanta United on April 4 and then overcoming the loss of Abou Ali to salvage the draw with Orlando. Forward Jamal Thiare left Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup match with an apparent leg injury and is questionable for Saturday. The Crew are 8-2-6 in their last 16 matches with the Revolution (regular season plus playoffs) and 3-0-2 in their last five trips to Foxborough. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Revolution #bid #stay #perfect #home #CrewApr 4, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution defender Mamadou Fofana (2) reacts with defender Brayan Ceballos (3) after scoring a goal during the second half against CF Montréal at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The New England Revolution set out to continue their dominant home form when they host the Columbus Crew on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass.

The home/away splits are as stark as they come for New England (3-3-0, 9 points). The Revolution have been outscored 8-2 while going 0-3-0 on the road, but are 3-0-0 with a 10-1 goal differential on their own field.

New England hasn’t allowed a goal in either of its last two home matches, which defender Mamadou Fofana felt was due to a strong effort from the entire lineup.

“We are a team. So it’s (from) the defense up to the striker … To win the game with a clean sheet, it is perfect,” Fofana said.

The offensive credit has also been spread around, as New England’s 12 goals have come from nine different players. Brayan Ceballos, Peyton Miller and Alhassan Yusuf share the team lead with two goals apiece.


By contrast, five of the Crew’s nine goals this season were scored by striker Wessam Abou Ali, who sustained a season-ending torn ACL in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Orlando City.

“When you don’t have Wes … we don’t need to change everything, but of course we need to find other ways to get more out of more players,” Columbus coach Henrik Rydstrom said.

Diego Rossi has three goals for Columbus (1-3-3, 6 points), and Max Arfsten is the only other Crew player to score.

Abou Ali’s injury is an unwelcome obstacle for a team that seemed to be finding its form. The Crew were winless (0-3-2) in their first five matches before recording a 3-1 road win over Atlanta United on April 4 and then overcoming the loss of Abou Ali to salvage the draw with Orlando.

Forward Jamal Thiare left Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup match with an apparent leg injury and is questionable for Saturday.

The Crew are 8-2-6 in their last 16 matches with the Revolution (regular season plus playoffs) and 3-0-2 in their last five trips to Foxborough.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Revolution #bid #stay #perfect #home #Crew

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Apr 4, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution defender Mamadou Fofana (2) reacts with defender Brayan Ceballos (3) after scoring a goal during the second half against CF Montréal at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The New England Revolution set out to continue their dominant home form when they host the Columbus Crew on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass.

The home/away splits are as stark as they come for New England (3-3-0, 9 points). The Revolution have been outscored 8-2 while going 0-3-0 on the road, but are 3-0-0 with a 10-1 goal differential on their own field.

New England hasn’t allowed a goal in either of its last two home matches, which defender Mamadou Fofana felt was due to a strong effort from the entire lineup.

“We are a team. So it’s (from) the defense up to the striker … To win the game with a clean sheet, it is perfect,” Fofana said.

The offensive credit has also been spread around, as New England’s 12 goals have come from nine different players. Brayan Ceballos, Peyton Miller and Alhassan Yusuf share the team lead with two goals apiece.

By contrast, five of the Crew’s nine goals this season were scored by striker Wessam Abou Ali, who sustained a season-ending torn ACL in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Orlando City.

“When you don’t have Wes … we don’t need to change everything, but of course we need to find other ways to get more out of more players,” Columbus coach Henrik Rydstrom said.

Diego Rossi has three goals for Columbus (1-3-3, 6 points), and Max Arfsten is the only other Crew player to score.

Abou Ali’s injury is an unwelcome obstacle for a team that seemed to be finding its form. The Crew were winless (0-3-2) in their first five matches before recording a 3-1 road win over Atlanta United on April 4 and then overcoming the loss of Abou Ali to salvage the draw with Orlando.

Forward Jamal Thiare left Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup match with an apparent leg injury and is questionable for Saturday.

The Crew are 8-2-6 in their last 16 matches with the Revolution (regular season plus playoffs) and 3-0-2 in their last five trips to Foxborough.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Revolution #bid #stay #perfect #home #Crew

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Deadspin | Knicks begin championship-or-bust playoff run vs. upstart Hawks <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28673106.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28673106.jpg" alt="NBA: New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 6, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) dribbles past New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks each were Cinderella stories the last time they opposed each other in the NBA playoffs.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Only the Hawks qualify for that moniker this time around.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The Knicks will begin a championship-or-bust pursuit when they host the Hawks in the first game of a best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series Saturday night.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Knicks (53-29) earned the third seed in the East after recording their most wins since the 2012-13 season. The Hawks (46-36) finished in sixth place and clinched the final guaranteed playoff spot after racking up their most victories since the 2015-16 campaign.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>But a successful regular season isn’t the goal for the Knicks, who reached the Eastern Conference finals last year for the first time since 2000 yet fired head coach Tom Thibodeau three days after being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Thibodeau directed New York to four playoff berths in five years dating back to 2020-21 — or as many postseason appearances as the franchise made from 2001-02 through the 2019-20 seasons.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>During a rare radio appearance in January, Knicks owner James Dolan said he believed the Knicks should “want to get to the Finals and we should win the Finals.” New York hasn’t won the NBA title since 1973 and hasn’t reached the championship round since 1999.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>The Knicks did raise a trophy this season when they won the NBA Cup in December. But the team didn’t hoist a banner commemorating that championship — and any momentum generated by the title run disappeared during a 2-9 skid from Dec. 31 through Jan. 19.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>The Knicks went 28-11 the rest of the way, including 15-10 against teams that either made the playoffs or participated in the play-in tournament.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>“At the end of the day, we’ll be judged on what we do on this run,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Expectations were lower for the Hawks, who never built on their deep playoff run in 2021. Led by polarizing point guard Trae Young, Atlanta beat the Knicks in five games that year on its way to reaching the conference finals for the second time since 1970.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>The Hawks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 before getting knocked out in the play-in tournament in 2024 and 2025. The Young era ended Jan. 7, when he was dealt to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>At the time of the trade, Atlanta was 18-21 and sitting in ninth place in the East. But the Hawks won 28 of their final 43 games — including 20 of 26 following the All-Star Break, the third-best record in the NBA.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>While Young played in just five games for the Wizards due to back and quad injuries, the 34-year-old McCollum averaged 18.7 points per game while Kispert collected 9.2 points per game as a key reserve over a combined 80 games.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“We’ve added stuff, we’ve taken stuff out, we’ve kind of evaluated what works, what doesn’t work and what’s going to work for this group,” McCollum said.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Knicks #championshiporbust #playoff #run #upstart #Hawks

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Deadspin | FC Cincinnati back home, vying for turnaround vs. streaking Fire <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28709086.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28709086.jpg" alt="MLS: FC Cincinnati at Toronto FC" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 11, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) chases after a loose ball against Toronto FC during the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>A massive opportunity to right the ship awaits FC Cincinnati Saturday night when they host the Chicago Fire.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Cincinnati (2-4-1, 7 points) has struggled mightily since winning its season opener. It has been plagued by a sluggish offense and a suspect defense, with its minus-6 goal differential tied for third-worst in the Eastern Conference. To be fair, a 6-1 drubbing on March 15 at New England represents most of that goal differential.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>“It’s been inconsistent,” head coach Pat Noonan said about his team’s performance. “We just need to be more consistent with our play, home and away. We just need to be better all-around in our play, wherever we’re playing.”</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Kevin Denkey will not play for Cincinnati Saturday night. He is suspended after a red card in Cincinnati’s previous match, a 1-1 draw against Toronto on April 11. Denkey leads Cincinnati with two goals, but it feels far removed from when he and Evander combined for 33 MLS goals for Cincinnati in 2025.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>FC Cincinnati are 2-1-0 at home in MLS regular-season competition, and this is their first home match since March 22. They will play four home matches in the next five weeks.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Chicago (4-2-1, 13 points), currently sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference, is off to a strong start in building on its long-awaited return to the MLS Cup playoffs a year ago.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>“Since the beginning of the season, we have always shown that we have something to prove this year,” midfielder Mauricio Pineda said. “That’s what really keeps us driving: approaching every game with the mentality to win.”</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The Fire are on a three-match winning streak, and this is their only road match in a six-match span stretching from April 4 through May 9.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Hugo Cuypers leads the Fire with four goals, with Jonathan Bamba next at two goals.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Cincinnati leads the all-time series 7-4-3 and swept the series in 2025. The teams will play their return match on May 2 in Chicago.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Cincinnati #home #vying #turnaround #streaking #Fire

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Alex Sarama was relatively unknown when the Portland Fire announced he’d be their first-ever head coach. But, on Wednesday, when the WNBA announced that Sarama was named Coach of the Month, it came as no surprise. Sarama led the Fire to a 6-4 record in May and several improbable victories, while making a name for himself in broad basketball circles.

At just 30 years old, Sarama was an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers and became the director of player development.

He joined NBA Europe in 2020, became a Paris Basketball player improvement specialist in 2022, and was the director of methodology for the British Basketball League’s London Lions in 2023. In the 2023-2024 season, Sarama was an assistant coach for the Rip City Remix, the Portland Trail Blazers’ G League affiliate. Then, in 2024, he became an assistant for the Cavaliers.

Sarama is unique in that he is an advocate of the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) to skill acquisition and practice design, a methodology that emphasises decision-making, adaptability, and game-representative learning environments rather than isolated and repetitive drills.

Sarama has cancelled morning shootarounds, had Fire players practice with just socks, and simulated specific drills with different constraints to emulate late-game scenarios.

The Fire are 6-5 and owners of the league’s 8th-best record, despite being one of two WNBA expansion teams. In May, they went 6-4, accruing two wins over the New York Liberty and a win over the Indiana Fever, among other star-studded squads.

On the court, Portland has been led by Carla Leite, who is averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists per game, both team-highs.

Bridget Carleton, selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA’s expansion draft, is averaging 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game, while Emily Englster has been the top shot blocker in the league, averaging 2.3 blocks per game. Engstler is also averaging 9.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 assists per game. And, Sarah Ashlee Barker has been huge off the bench, averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

In a video shared by the Fire, Sarama credited the players and his staff for his first-ever Coach of the Month honor.

“This isn’t possible without incredible players. This is really because of you guys, number one,” he said. “Everything we’ve asked you to do, you guys have done times a thousand. I couldn’t be more proud to coach you guys. This is going to be such a fun ride.”

“Secondly, it’s staff of the month. Not coach of the month. That’s everyone. Front office, performance, the incredible coaching staff we have. It’s every single one of us here.”

#WNBA #named #Coach #Month #welldeserved">The WNBA just named a Coach of the Month, and it’s well-deserved Alex Sarama was relatively unknown when the Portland Fire announced he’d be their first-ever head coach. But, on Wednesday, when the WNBA announced that Sarama was named Coach of the Month, it came as no surprise. Sarama led the Fire to a 6-4 record in May and several improbable victories, while making a name for himself in broad basketball circles.At just 30 years old, Sarama was an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers and became the director of player development.He joined NBA Europe in 2020, became a Paris Basketball player improvement specialist in 2022, and was the director of methodology for the British Basketball League’s London Lions in 2023. In the 2023-2024 season, Sarama was an assistant coach for the Rip City Remix, the Portland Trail Blazers’ G League affiliate. Then, in 2024, he became an assistant for the Cavaliers.Sarama is unique in that he is an advocate of the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) to skill acquisition and practice design, a methodology that emphasises decision-making, adaptability, and game-representative learning environments rather than isolated and repetitive drills.Sarama has cancelled morning shootarounds, had Fire players practice with just socks, and simulated specific drills with different constraints to emulate late-game scenarios.The Fire are 6-5 and owners of the league’s 8th-best record, despite being one of two WNBA expansion teams. In May, they went 6-4, accruing two wins over the New York Liberty and a win over the Indiana Fever, among other star-studded squads.On the court, Portland has been led by Carla Leite, who is averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists per game, both team-highs.Bridget Carleton, selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA’s expansion draft, is averaging 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game, while Emily Englster has been the top shot blocker in the league, averaging 2.3 blocks per game. Engstler is also averaging 9.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 assists per game. And, Sarah Ashlee Barker has been huge off the bench, averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.In a video shared by the Fire, Sarama credited the players and his staff for his first-ever Coach of the Month honor.“This isn’t possible without incredible players. This is really because of you guys, number one,” he said. “Everything we’ve asked you to do, you guys have done times a thousand. I couldn’t be more proud to coach you guys. This is going to be such a fun ride.”“Secondly, it’s staff of the month. Not coach of the month. That’s everyone. Front office, performance, the incredible coaching staff we have. It’s every single one of us here.” #WNBA #named #Coach #Month #welldeserved

Five-time champion India booked its place in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship with a hard-fought 1-0 win over a resolute Bhutan in the second semifinal on Wednesday.

India, which found the winner through Sanfida Nongrum in the 60th minute, will meet defending champion Bangladesh in the title clash at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.

Having scored 14 goals in two group-stage matches, the host was expected to dominate, but Bhutan once again showed the defensive discipline that had taken it to a third successive semifinal appearance.

Ranked 69th in the FIFA rankings, India controlled possession for long periods but found it difficult to break down Bhutan’s compact backline in a goalless first half.

The Blue Tigresses created chances through Karishma, Soumya Guguloth and Aveka Singh, but poor finishing and alert goalkeeping kept the scores level at the break.

Bhutan, meanwhile, remained a threat on the counterattack and squandered a couple of promising opportunities of its own.

India finally found the breakthrough when Sanfida scored after sustained pressure, giving the host the lead it had been searching for throughout the contest.

Coach Crispin Chhetri then introduced experienced attackers, including Manisha Kalyan and Pyari Xaxa, as India looked to put the game beyond Bhutan. However, Bhutan refused to back down and continued to test the Indian defence on the break.

The host created several openings in the closing stages but was unable to add to its tally.

ALSO READ: India vs Bhutan as it happened, highlights and facts

Bhutan, despite its determination, lacked the finishing touch required to force extra time as India held on for a narrow victory.

The Blue Tigresses are now one win away from reclaiming the title it last won in 2019.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh beat Nepal 2-1 in the first semifinal to reach a third consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship final after substitute Sagorika scored a stoppage-time winner.

Bangladesh won the previous two editions, held in 2022 and 2024.

Published on Jun 03, 2026

#SAFF #Womens #Championship #India #scrapes #Bhutan #face #Bangladesh #title">SAFF Women’s Championship 2026: India scrapes past Bhutan 1-0, to face Bangladesh for title Five-time champion India booked its place in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship with a hard-fought 1-0 win over a resolute Bhutan in the second semifinal on Wednesday.India, which found the winner through Sanfida Nongrum in the 60th minute, will meet defending champion Bangladesh in the title clash at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.Having scored 14 goals in two group-stage matches, the host was expected to dominate, but Bhutan once again showed the defensive discipline that had taken it to a third successive semifinal appearance.Ranked 69th in the FIFA rankings, India controlled possession for long periods but found it difficult to break down Bhutan’s compact backline in a goalless first half.The Blue Tigresses created chances through Karishma, Soumya Guguloth and Aveka Singh, but poor finishing and alert goalkeeping kept the scores level at the break.Bhutan, meanwhile, remained a threat on the counterattack and squandered a couple of promising opportunities of its own.India finally found the breakthrough when Sanfida scored after sustained pressure, giving the host the lead it had been searching for throughout the contest.Coach Crispin Chhetri then introduced experienced attackers, including Manisha Kalyan and Pyari Xaxa, as India looked to put the game beyond Bhutan. However, Bhutan refused to back down and continued to test the Indian defence on the break.The host created several openings in the closing stages but was unable to add to its tally.ALSO READ: India vs Bhutan as it happened, highlights and factsBhutan, despite its determination, lacked the finishing touch required to force extra time as India held on for a narrow victory.The Blue Tigresses are now one win away from reclaiming the title it last won in 2019.Earlier in the day, Bangladesh beat Nepal 2-1 in the first semifinal to reach a third consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship final after substitute Sagorika scored a stoppage-time winner.Bangladesh won the previous two editions, held in 2022 and 2024.Published on Jun 03, 2026 #SAFF #Womens #Championship #India #scrapes #Bhutan #face #Bangladesh #title

India vs Bhutan as it happened, highlights and facts

Bhutan, despite its determination, lacked the finishing touch required to force extra time as India held on for a narrow victory.

The Blue Tigresses are now one win away from reclaiming the title it last won in 2019.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh beat Nepal 2-1 in the first semifinal to reach a third consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship final after substitute Sagorika scored a stoppage-time winner.

Bangladesh won the previous two editions, held in 2022 and 2024.

Published on Jun 03, 2026

#SAFF #Womens #Championship #India #scrapes #Bhutan #face #Bangladesh #title">SAFF Women’s Championship 2026: India scrapes past Bhutan 1-0, to face Bangladesh for title

Five-time champion India booked its place in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship with a hard-fought 1-0 win over a resolute Bhutan in the second semifinal on Wednesday.

India, which found the winner through Sanfida Nongrum in the 60th minute, will meet defending champion Bangladesh in the title clash at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday.

Having scored 14 goals in two group-stage matches, the host was expected to dominate, but Bhutan once again showed the defensive discipline that had taken it to a third successive semifinal appearance.

Ranked 69th in the FIFA rankings, India controlled possession for long periods but found it difficult to break down Bhutan’s compact backline in a goalless first half.

The Blue Tigresses created chances through Karishma, Soumya Guguloth and Aveka Singh, but poor finishing and alert goalkeeping kept the scores level at the break.

Bhutan, meanwhile, remained a threat on the counterattack and squandered a couple of promising opportunities of its own.

India finally found the breakthrough when Sanfida scored after sustained pressure, giving the host the lead it had been searching for throughout the contest.

Coach Crispin Chhetri then introduced experienced attackers, including Manisha Kalyan and Pyari Xaxa, as India looked to put the game beyond Bhutan. However, Bhutan refused to back down and continued to test the Indian defence on the break.

The host created several openings in the closing stages but was unable to add to its tally.

ALSO READ: India vs Bhutan as it happened, highlights and facts

Bhutan, despite its determination, lacked the finishing touch required to force extra time as India held on for a narrow victory.

The Blue Tigresses are now one win away from reclaiming the title it last won in 2019.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh beat Nepal 2-1 in the first semifinal to reach a third consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship final after substitute Sagorika scored a stoppage-time winner.

Bangladesh won the previous two editions, held in 2022 and 2024.

Published on Jun 03, 2026

#SAFF #Womens #Championship #India #scrapes #Bhutan #face #Bangladesh #title
Deadspin | NC State-UVA opener moved from Brazil to Charlottesville Sep 22, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) scrambles from North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive lineman Noah Potter (97) during the fourth quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images The season-opening football game between North Carolina State and Virginia will no longer be played in Brazil. Both ACC schools announced Wednesday that the contest will be held on Aug. 29 in Charlottesville, Va. Billed as the first college football game played in South America, it originally was scheduled to take place at Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The decision to relocate came after an “extensive review with the operational partners and international stakeholders” involved in the game, according to a press release. “This change follows communication from Athlete Advantage, which informed the ACC and participating schools that the event could not be conducted,” the release said. Fans who purchased tickets or travel packages will receive refunds. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #StateUVA #opener #moved #Brazil #CharlottesvilleSep 22, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) scrambles from North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive lineman Noah Potter (97) during the fourth quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The season-opening football game between North Carolina State and Virginia will no longer be played in Brazil.

Both ACC schools announced Wednesday that the contest will be held on Aug. 29 in Charlottesville, Va.

Billed as the first college football game played in South America, it originally was scheduled to take place at Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.


The decision to relocate came after an “extensive review with the operational partners and international stakeholders” involved in the game, according to a press release.

“This change follows communication from Athlete Advantage, which informed the ACC and participating schools that the event could not be conducted,” the release said.

Fans who purchased tickets or travel packages will receive refunds.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #StateUVA #opener #moved #Brazil #Charlottesville">Deadspin | NC State-UVA opener moved from Brazil to Charlottesville Sep 22, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) scrambles from North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive lineman Noah Potter (97) during the fourth quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images The season-opening football game between North Carolina State and Virginia will no longer be played in Brazil. Both ACC schools announced Wednesday that the contest will be held on Aug. 29 in Charlottesville, Va. Billed as the first college football game played in South America, it originally was scheduled to take place at Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The decision to relocate came after an “extensive review with the operational partners and international stakeholders” involved in the game, according to a press release. “This change follows communication from Athlete Advantage, which informed the ACC and participating schools that the event could not be conducted,” the release said. Fans who purchased tickets or travel packages will receive refunds. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #StateUVA #opener #moved #Brazil #Charlottesville

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