India will lock horns with Pakistan in their SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 opener at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal on Thursday, October 17.

The India vs Pakistan SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 match will start at 5:15 PM IST. Live streaming of the match will be available in India.

India are the most successful team in the SAFF Women’s Championship history with five titles. The Blue Tigresses won the first five editions of the SAFF Women’s Championship in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2019.

Led by their captain Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, India will head into the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 as one of the favourites to clinch the title in Nepal.

In the last edition, India lost to hosts Nepal 0-1 in the semi-final of the SAFF Women’s Championship in 2022. Bangladesh later bagged their maiden SAFF Women’s Championship after they defeated Nepal 3-1 in the final.

Under head coach Santosh Kashyap, India have announced a formidable 23-member squad for the SAFF Women's Championship 2024.

Currently placed 68th in the FIFA women’s world ranking, India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan and defending champions Bangladesh. Hosts Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives and Bhutan are clubbed in Group B.

On the other hand, Pakistan are currently 158th in the FIFA women’s world ranking. Led by their head coach Adeel Rizki, Pakistan will make their fifth appearance in the SAFF Women’s Championship. Their best result at the tournament came in 2010 when they reached the semi-finals, but later succumbed to a 0-8 defeat against India in the last four.

As per the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 schedule, each team will play the other sides in their group once in a single round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals to be played on October 27. 

The winners of the two semi-finals will clash in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 final on October 30.

Where to watch India vs Pakistan SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 live

Live streaming of the India vs Pakistan SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 match will be available on the FanCode app and website.

There will be no live telecast of the India vs Pakistan SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 match on any TV channel in India.

India squad for SAFF Women’s Championship 2024

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

Photo credit: Imago