The Indian women’s football begin their SAFF Championship expedition on Thursday with a high-intensity clash against neighbours and arch-rivals Pakistan on the cards.
The fixture will also mark the 100th appearance of Indian skipper Ashalata Devi in the blue kit, as the defensive stalwart becomes the first woman to reach the three-figure cap for the Blue Tigresses.
“It’s always exciting to face a team like Pakistan,” the skipper began.
“We have a lot of respect for them. They have grown as a unit,” she added.
She reflected on the triumph in the previous encounter between the sides but brushed off any suggestions of complacency and stated that the side is gearing up for a toe-to-toe encounter.
“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,” Ashalata added.
Indian women’s team head coach Santosh Kashyap expressed that the neighbours have a strong outfit and the women in blue can’t take things for granted.
“I have watched Pakistan’s recent matches, including the one against Singapore, where they put up a tough fight and narrowly lost 1-0,” Kashyap said.
“They have strong physicality and play good football,” he added.
“All the teams are very close in terms of quality, and they fight hard. Whether it’s the men’s or women’s teams, we can’t afford to think we are the favourites and will win easily,” the head coach added.
He also went on to laud the incredible feat of Ashalata, who is set to become the first-ever centurion for the Indian women’s team.
“It’s a great achievement for her as well as for women’s football,” Kashyap opined.
“I always tell young players to look up to her and how she has maintained herself for such a long time,” he asserted.
Pakistan head coach Adeel Rizki noted the quality in the Indian side and opined that his side had to be ready to rise upto the challenges the Blue Tigresses would pose.
“I think it will be an interesting match, India have prepared well,” he said.
“They have a new coach as well, so they have new strategies, we don’t know what to expect. It’s a good rivalry,” Rizki added.