Ashalata's 100th cap, Bala's 50th goal! Stage set for India-Pak battle in SAFF Women's C'ships

Team India's Malayali coach Priya P V has placed much hope on the Blue Tigresses as they are set to take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the opener of the SAFF Women's Championships in Kathmandu on Thursday (Oct 17). The contest will mark skipper Ashalata Devi's record 100th cap and could turn extra special with Bala Devi's much-anticipated 50th international goal.

“Any game between India and Pakistan is always intense. We will treat this match as a significant opportunity and strive to make it a great start,” said Kannur native Priya. She is assistant to Santosh Kashyap, who was appointed head coach of the Indian senior women's team in mid-September.

“The achievement of Asalatha serves as great motivation for our team. Bala Devi, our senior player, is on the brink of scoring her 50th goal for India. This will be a precious milestone for us, and all our players are prepared to support her in achieving this goal,” said coach Priya, an AFC A-licence holder.

The team camped in Goa before landing in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Though the three-week training camp in Goa seems insufficient, Priya said the coaching team, led by Kashyap, was focused on making every player understand their roles well. “There is a lot of hope in this team. Although we've had very little time, the coach has managed to create a positive atmosphere within the team. This time, the team is a mix of seniors and juniors, which gives us a lot of hope. The coach has been working hard to motivate the players and instil a fighting spirit in the team. We're committed to giving 100 per cent effort to achieve good results,” she said.

India, the most successful side in the SAFF, had a forgetful campaign in the previous edition, losing 1-0 to hosts Nepal in the semifinals. But captain Ashalata is hoping the opener against Pakistan will help the Tigresses prepare for the tests ahead. “Our first match is against Pakistan, and it's a crucial one for us. The first game always sets the tone, and if we start strong, we can approach the rest with a bit less pressure,” Ashalata was quoted by the All India Football Federation. India had a comfortable 3-0 win over Pakistan in September 2022, the last time the sides met, which was again the opener of a SAFF championship.

Despite the rivalry on paper, Ashalata said Team India greatly respects the opponent. “They have grown as a unit. Last time, we won against them, but we are not taking them lightly. They are motivated, prepared well and will surely put up a good fight,” the captain said.

Where to watch: The match will be streamed live on FanCode from 5.15 pm IST.