Five-time champions India trounced Pakistan 5-2 in their opening Group-A match of the 7th SAFF Women Football Championship at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal today. For India, Dangmei Grace scored a brace, while Manisha Kalyan, Ngangom Bala Devi and Jyoti Chouhan netted one goal each.
India will play their second and last league match against defending champions Bangladesh on October 23. The 23-member Indian team features only one player from Odisha – defender Juli Kishan. Ace Odisha forward Pyari Xaxa did not get a berth in the team.
In the match against Pakistan, India captain Loitongbam Ashalata Devi made her 100th international appearance for the country, while Ngangom Bala Devi became the first Indian woman footballer to score her 50th international goal. She dedicated the achievement to her late father, who passed away a few months ago.
Head Coach Santosh Kashypap
INDIAN WOMEN TEAM:
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 Kalyan, Jyoti Chouhan, Ngangom Bala Devi.
Team Staff: Santosh Kashyap (Head coach), Priya PV (Assistant coach), Lourembam Ronibala Chanu (Goalkeeper coach).
INDIA RESULTS:
17 Oct 2024 (League match): India (Dangmei Grace 5, 42, Manisha Kalyan 17, Ngangom Bala Devi 35, Jyoti Chouhan 78) beat Pakistan (Suha Hirani 45+2(P), Kalya Marie Siddqi 47) 5-2. PoM: Dangmei Grace.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Indian Women Football Team, featuring Odisha defender Juli Kishan (Front row, extreme left), pose at the SAFF Women Championship in Kathmandu on 17 October 2024.