Sanfida Nongrum Shines in AFC Women’s Asian Cup Debut Despite Loss

Sanfida's Historic Debut

On March 6, in New Delhi, Sanfida Nongrum made a significant impact during her debut at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, scoring in the 52nd minute after being substituted in at halftime against Vietnam. This goal not only marked India's return to scoring in the tournament but also introduced a promising talent to the international arena.

Unfortunately, India faced a setback, losing 1-2 to Vietnam in their opening Group C match, with the defeat sealed by a last-minute goal from their opponents.

Remarkably, the last time India found the net in this tournament was before Sanfida was even born. Her debut goal was historic, occurring just minutes into the second half of her first match for the national team, making her the first Indian to score in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 23 years.

Despite the joy of scoring, Sanfida expressed her disappointment over the loss, stating, "While I’m thrilled to have scored on my debut, it’s unfortunate that we lost in the dying moments. We will learn from this and prepare for the match against Japan," as reported by AIFF.com.

Sanfida's journey in football began in Shillong, Meghalaya, where she was introduced to the sport by her family. Growing up in a joint family, it was her cousin who first inspired her to play.

"I started playing with my cousin at home, and soon we would go to the field every day to practice together," she reminisced.

By the age of six, she joined the Royal Wahingdoh FC academy in Shillong, where she got her first taste of organized football, despite being considered too young for formal selection.

Her early career involved participating in local competitions, representing her district and state in youth tournaments, and training regularly.

"My routine was filled with training and matches. I practiced consistently and played whenever I could, whether at the district or state level," she shared.

At 12, she had her first significant experience away from home when she traveled for the Subroto Cup with her school, marking her first journey outside Shillong. Two years later, she represented Meghalaya at the Sub Junior Girls' National Football Championship in Odisha.

The turning point in her career came at 15 when she moved to Bengaluru to pursue football seriously. "Leaving home for the first time to focus on football was a monumental moment for me," she recalled.

In Bengaluru, she joined Bangalore United FC and trained under former India goalkeeper Chitra Gangadharan, marking her first experience in a professional setting.

After two years in Karnataka, Sanfida gained valuable experience in the Indian Women’s League, starting with Goa’s Sirvodem Sports Club during the 2021-22 season, followed by a stint with Sports Odisha in Ahmedabad.

She later joined Garhwal United FC, where her career took a significant leap. Over time, she became one of the senior players in the squad and eventually assumed leadership roles.

Her leadership culminated in the 2024-25 season when Garhwal United clinched the IWL 2 title, with Sanfida as captain. Later that year, she scored a remarkable long-range goal, contributing to the club's first-ever victory in the Indian Women’s League in December 2025.

Throughout her journey, Sanfida has received unwavering support from her family. Her father, a driver, and her mother, a homemaker, have always encouraged her despite the distance from Shillong.

"My family constantly reminds me to never give up. In football, there are wins, losses, and draws, but what matters is perseverance and hard work," Sanfida concluded.