The India women’s football team will begin their SAFF U-18 women’s championship 2022 campaign against Nepal at the JRD Tata Complex in Jamshedpur on Tuesday, March 15.
The SAFF U-18 women’s championship 2022 will be the third edition of the tournament, with Bangladesh winning the previous two tournaments in 2018 and 2021.
India’s best performance in SAFF U-18 women’s championship came in the last edition, where they finished as runners-up to the Bangladesh women’s football team.
Head coach Thomas Dennerby earlier named a 22-member squad on Saturday, stating that the SAFF Championship will be crucial in the preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup later this year.
The 62-year-old Swedish coach, who has managed the senior India women’s football team, said he was very happy with the team but also advised caution.
“We have a lot of good players in the squad, and these girls pose a really bright future for women’s football in India. The great thing about them is that they have been properly educated about football from a very young age. The key now is to keep on with that,” Thomas Dennerby said.
“I’ve seen many players who are supremely talented at the age of 15-16, but then they disappear later on. And many who have some average talent go on to be top players in the world. So, it’s important to practice hard in an organised manner, no matter how much talent one has,” he added.
The Indian team will be up against Nepal and Bangladesh at the SAFF U-18 women’s championship, where each team plays the others twice.
India’s squad for SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship 2022
Goalkeepers: Hempriya Seram, Melody Chanu Keisham, Adrija Sarkhel
Defenders: Astam Oraon, Nisha, Ritu Devi, Purnima Kumari, Naketa, Kajal, Varshika
Midfielders: Shilky Devi Hemam, Poonam, Subhangi Singh, Priyanka Sujeesh, Martina Thokchom, Babina Devi, Nitu Linda
Forwards: Naita Kumari, Rejiya Devi, Amisha Baxla, Sunita Munda, Lynda Kom Serto
SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship 2022: India’s fixtures, schedule and live match start times
All times in India Standard Time (IST)
Tuesday, March 15
India vs Nepal – 7:00 PM IST
Saturday, March 19
Bangladesh vs India - 7:00 PM IST
Monday, March 21
Nepal vs India – 7:00 PM IST
Friday, March 25
India vs Bangladesh – 7:00 PM IST
Note: The details for live streaming/telecast will be updated once information is available.
Featured photo: AIFF media
