Defending champions India crashed out of the 6th SAFF Women Football Championship after a 0-1 defeat to Nepal in the semifinals at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu today. Rashmi Kumari Ghishing scored the only goal of the game as the host eked out a win on a mud-soaked pitch.

India qualified for the semifinals as Group-A runners-up with two wins and one loss. India suffered a stunning 0-3 loss at the hands of Bangladesh in their third and last group match. The defeat ended an unbeaten run of 28 matches for India in this championship.

Earlier in their first two matches, India beat Pakistan 3-0 and Maldives 9-0. Odisha player Juli Kishan made her international debut in the match against Maldives. The Indian team also features Odisha defender Manisha Panna.

INDIA SENIOR WOMEN TEAM:
Goalkeepers: Aditi Chauhan, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi, Sowmiya Narayanasamy. Defenders: Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Ashalata Devi, Ranjana Chanu, Manisa Panna, Michel Castanha, Juli Kishan, Santosh. Mid-fielders: Anju Tamang, Priyangka Devi, Martina Thokchom, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Kashmina, Ratanbala Devi. Forwards: Dular Marandi, Apurna Narzary, Soumya Guguloth, Renu, Kiran Pisda, Dangmei Grace. Head Coach: Suren Chettri.

RESULTS:
September 7: India (Maria Jamil Khan OG, Dangmei Grace, Soumya Guguloth) beat Pakistan 3-0.
September 10: India (Anju Tamang 24, 45+2, 85, 88, Priyangka Devi 42, Dangmei Grace 53 86, Soumya Guguloth 55, Kashmina 84) beat Maldives 9-0.
September 13: India lost to Bangladesh (MS Jahan Shopna 12, 50; Srimoti Sarkar 21) 0-3.
September 16: India lost to Nepal (Rashmi Kumari Ghishing 45+1) 0-1.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Players, coaches and support staff of Indian Women Football Team on their arrival in Kathmandu on 3 September 2022.