Pakistan gear up for India test in SAFF Women's Championship

Pakistan women’s football team will be looking to put their best foot forward when they take on a strong Indian side in their Group A opener of the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship which begins at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Thursday (tomorrow).

Pakistan will be returning to the international circuit after a long layoff of one year. The Shaheens had last played a game on September 28, 2023, against Laos in the six-nation event at the King Fahd Stadium in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. In that show Pakistan conquered Laos 4-2 on penalties.

Pakistan’s head coach Adeel Rizki is satisfied with the preparation and has said that all players are fit.

“Preparation has been good. We don’t have any major injuries. We are confident that we will compete well against India,” Rizki told Nukta on Wednesday.

Pakistan trained for less than two weeks in Islamabad and its always tough for a team when it returns to international circuit after a year.

India, on the other hand, underwent training for three weeks in Goa.

Dubai-based Maria Khan will act as skipper while midfielder Suha Hirani will serve as her deputy.

The two sides met last time on September 7, 2022, in the SAFF Women’s Championship at the same venue where India defeated Pakistan 3-0.

Having not lost a game against Pakistan, India will enter the game as favorites.

India’s head coach Santosh Kashyap is also aware of Pakistan’s potential and expects them to do well.

“I have watched Pakistan’s recent matches, including the one against Singapore where they put up a tough fight and narrowly lost 1-0. Their players are physically strong and play good football,” Santosh said.

Pakistan team, staying at the Soaltee Hotel in the Nepal’s capital, kept training for one and a half hour on daily basis at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) ground, which has artificial turf.

On Wednesday the brigade was scheduled to train after 4pm local time at another venue.

It would be a huge game for India’s skipper and defender Ashalata Devi who will be playing in the 100th match of her fine career. The 31-year-old had made her debut in the Olympics Qualifiers in Dhaka against Bangladesh in March 2011.

Pakistan have been clubbed in Group A with India and Bangladesh, while Group B carries Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

After India’s clash Pakistan will meet Bangladesh on October 20.

Pakistan captain Maria Khan in action during a training session. PFF

Group B contains Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. Top two teams from each group will make it to the semi-finals to be held on October 27. The final will be conducted on October 30.

In the 2022 SAFF Cup, Pakistan crashed out at the first hurdle. Pakistan had lost to India 0-3 and were whipped by Bangladesh 6-0. However, in their last match Pakistan crushed Maldives 7-0 but it was a case of too little too late.

In the 2014 edition which was held in Islamabad, Pakistan exited at the group stage. Sri Lanka and Nepal beat Pakistan 2-1 and 2-0, respectively. Pakistan, however, pulled off a consolation win by crushing Bhutan 4-1 in their last group game. In the 2012 edition held in Sri Lanka, Pakistan faced similar fate as they failed to go beyond group stage. They were beaten by Nepal 8-0, downed by Afghanistan 4-0 before they conquered Maldives 3-0.

In the inaugural edition held in Bangladesh Pakistan reached the semi-finals but lost that 0-8 to India.

Earlier in the group stage Pakistan beat Maldives 2-1, conquered Afghanistan 3-0 before Nepal whipped Pakistan 12-0.

However, both sides reached the semi-finals. India have won the initial five editions while the previous event was won by Bangladesh. In the semi-final India had been beaten by Nepal 1-0.

Pakistan squad:

Goalkeepers: Nisha Ashraf, Mafia Parveen and Rumaysa Khan.

Defenders: Kayla Siddiqui, Mishal Bhatti, Sarah Khan, Nizalia Siddiqi, Sophia Quershi, Fatima Nasir and Mehreen Khan.

Midfielders: Suha Hirani, Maria Khan, Sanah Mehdi, Amina Hanif, Rameen Fareed and Kayanat Bhokari.

Forwards: Nadia Khan, Zahmena Malik, Isra Khan, Anmol Hira, Anushay Usman and Alia Sadiq.

India 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: Priyangka Devi Naorem, Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu, Bala Devi Ngangom.

Forwards: Rimpa Haldar, Grace Dangmei, Soumya Guguloth, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Manisha, Anju Tamang, Jyoti.