The quality of football has improved immensely in the region but the Indian team is equipped to win the SAFF Women’s Championship, senior defender Ashalata Devi said on Wednesday as the side gears up to take on arch-rivals Pakistan in its tournament opener.
While India holds the advantage in terms of historical success and current FIFA rankings, Pakistan will be aiming to upset the odds and stage a spirited challenge.
For Pakistan, the focus will be on resilience and putting up a much stronger fight than in previous encounters against India. With players like Maria Khan leading the charge and Nadia Khan, who will make a comeback after a year from her injury, will definitely be no pushovers.
Skipper Maria Khan is an experienced midfielder who plays for Saudi Arabian pro side Eastern Flames. Two other Pakistan players, goalkeeper Rumaysa Khan and striker Isra Khan, play in Canada and the United States, respectively.
Pakistan Head coach Adeel Rizki said, ”I think it will be an interesting match, India have prepared well. They have a new coach as well, so they have new strategies, we don’t know what to expect. It’s a good rivalry. We respect them in terms of how they play and what they’ve done in the past. On the other hand, we have done well and have grown a lot from last time. We hope we can perform and have a good game against India tomorrow.”
The clash against Pakistan on Thursday assumes significance because Ashalata will become India’s first woman footballer to play 100 international matches when she takes the field at the iconic Dasarath Stadium on Thursday.
Ashalata said the first game always sets the tone, and a strong start will help them play freely in the following matches. The last time the two teams clashed, India had emerged a 3-0 winner.
India are clubbed with Bangladesh and Pakistan in Group A, while hosts Nepal are drawn in Group B with Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. After an intense three-week camp in Goa, the team will leave for Kathmandu on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
The Blue Tigresses will begin their campaign with a match against Pakistan on October 17, followed by the concluding group stage tie against defending champions Bangladesh. Both matches will kick off at 5.15 pm, IST.
While both semi-finals are on October 27, the final is on October 30.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Payal Ramesh Basude, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Linthoingambi Devi Maibam.
Defenders: Ashalata Devi Loitongbam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Juli Kishan, Ranjana Chanu Sorokhaibam, Sanju, Dalima Chhibber, Aruna Bag, Linthoingambi Devi Wangkhem.
Midfielders: Anju Tamang, Priyangka Devi Naorem, Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu.
Forwards: Rimpa Haldar, Grace Dangmei, Soumya Guguloth, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Manisha, Jyoti, Ngangom Bala Devi.
Head coach: Santosh Kashyap
Assistant coach: Priya PV
Goalkeeper coach: Lourembam Ronibala Chanu
SAFF Women’s Championship 2024, Nepal: October 17 to 30, 2024
Group A: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan
Group B: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan
India’s Group A fixtures:
October 17: Pakistan vs India (5.15 pm IST)
October 23: India vs Bangladesh (5.15 pm IST)
Semi-finals:
October 27: Group A winners vs Group B runners-up (1.15 pm IST); Group B winners vs Group A runners-up (5.15 pm, IST).
Final: October 30 (5.15 pm, IST).