KATHMANDU: India and Pakistan are playing the opening match of the SAFF Women’s Championship today.
The match will take place at the Dashrath Stadium in Tripureshwar, Kathmandu, starting at 5:30 PM.
Only one match is scheduled for the first day of the tournament.
Both teams are placed in Group A alongside the defending champions, Bangladesh.
India, the most successful team in SAFF history, is a strong contender for the title.
In the previous edition, held in Nepal, India was eliminated in the semi-finals after losing to the home team.
However, this time, the Indian squad aims to reclaim the title with renewed strength.
Coach Santosh Kashyap, who is managing the women’s team for the first time, expressed confidence in the team’s enhanced capabilities.
He emphasized that the return of experienced players has strengthened the squad.
Forgetting the previous edition’s results, Kashyap believed that a well-planned and strategically sound team will perform well.
Captain Ashalata Devi noted that the combination of senior and junior players has made the Indian team stronger.
She explained that in the past, the presence of younger players led to less favorable outcomes, but with the experienced players this time, they are determined to demonstrate their potential.
On the other hand, Pakistan has also strengthened its team after returning to international football since the last SAFF Championship.
The Pakistani squad is not willing to hand over an easy victory to India.
With a mix of young talent and a focus on both results and performance, they are ready to make their mark in the tournament.
Despite an eight-year ban imposed by FIFA on the Pakistani football team, the women players continued to compete in foreign leagues, gaining valuable experience.
Captain Maria Khan has remained hopeful for a better performance this time around, aiming for a strong start in the championship.
Ticket prices for the group stage matches of the SAFF Championship are set at Rs 300 for general admission and Rs 500 for VIP access.
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