FIFA removing the ban on Indian football means the national teams participating in international competition is a viable option again. Hence, the senior Indian Women’s team can compete in the 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship scheduled to take place in Nepal from 6-9 September. The Blue Tigress will depart on 3 September as the defending champions have won the competition a record 8 times since its inception in 1993.
There will be seven nations competing in this edition of the tournament including India, hosts Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The final of the competition is on 19 September 2023.
Squad
Coach Suren Chettri has named 26 players for a probable squad for the competition for a preparatory camp in Pune.
Goalkeepers: Aditi Chauhan, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi, Shreya Hooda, Sowmiya Narayanasamy
Defenders: Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Ashalata Devi, Ranjana Chanu, Manisa Panna, Arifa Sayed, Michel Castanha, Juli Kishan, Santosh
Midfielders: Anju Tamang, Karthika Angamuthu, Priyangka Devi, Martina Thokchom, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Kaviya Pakkirisamy, Kashmina, Ratanbala Devi
Forwards: Dular Marandi, Apurna Narzary, Soumya Guguloth, Renu, Kiran Pisda
Head Coach: Suren Chettri
Fixtures
Sept 7: India vs Pakistan (12:45)
Sept 10: Maldives vs India (17:15)
Sept 13: India vs Bangladesh (17:15)
India has been placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, Maldives and Pakistan. Their journey in the competition starts with a cracking game against Pakistan on Wednesday, 7 September 2022 at the Dasarath Stadium in Kathmandu. The Blue Tigress faced the Maldives three days after and concluded the group stages on 13 September 2023 taking on Bangladesh.
Note: All timing is on Indian Standard Time (IST)
Also Read | 2022-23 Season Indian Super League Fixture List
