The final 23-player list for the SAFF U16 Women's Championship was declared on 26 February 2024 by head coach Biby Thomas Muttath. The selection was made from the 30 probable of the national camp training in Goa. The tournament is set to be hosted in Lalitpur, Nepal, from 1-10 March 2024. The Young Tigresses will leave for their destination the day after.
This is the first time SAFF has organized a U16 competition for the women’s division. Earlier, in the SAFF U15, India won the 2018 and 2019 editions both against Bangladesh. The same opposition also jointly shared the U19 Women's Championship controversially played only this month. With the senior national team also in the hunt for the Turkish Women’s Cup, the U16 team will want to grab the silverware to make early 2024 a notable period in Indian Women’s football.
India's squad for SAFF U16 Women's Championship:
Goalkeepers: Konjengbam Tamphasana Devi, Munni, Surajmuni Kumari.
Defenders: Amrita Ghosh, Bonifila Shullai, Divyani Linda, Elizabed Lakra, Gauri, Rheanna Liz Jacob, Rupashree Munda, Sarangthem Alena Devi.
Midfielders: Anita Dungdung, Anushka Kumari, Anwita Raghuraman, H Yashica, Longajam Nira Chanu, Ritu Badaik, Shveta Rani, Thanda Moni Baskey.
Forwards: Gurleen Kaur, Gurnaz Kaur, Neha Saji, Pearl Fernandes.
Head coach: Biby Thomas Muttath
India's schedule at the SAFF U16 Women's Championship:
Thursday, 1 March 2024
India vs Bhutan (14:45 IST)
Monday, 5 March 2024
Bangladesh vs India (14:45 IST)
Wednesday, 7 March 2024
India vs Nepal (14:45 IST)
Saturday,10 March 2024
Final (14:45 IST)
The inaugural edition of the SAFF U16 Women’s Championship will be played in a round-robin format with the top two teams qualifying for the final on Saturday,10 March 2024. All matches will be played at the Chyasal Stadium in Lalitpur. India will begin their quest for the title against Bhutan on 1st March 2024 with fixtures against Bangladesh and hosts Nepal to follow.
