The India Women’s team will be up against the Bahrain national team tonight at 8:30 PM IST at the Hamad City Stadium. The Blue Tigresses reached the island of pearls three days ago after a brief stint of friendly games in the United Arab Emirates.
The team fought against UAE and Tunisia in Dubai where India thrashed the UAE national team in a 4-1 score line while Tunisia had the scores to their side as they won with a goal to nil.
India Women is currently being coached by Thomas Dennerby, who had been handling the U-17 team for the U-17 World cup after Maymol Rocky resigned as the head coach of the team. Under Dennerby, the team has been practicing in Jharkhand and had a month long training camp before moving for the friendly games schedule.
With the AFC Asian Cup set to take place next year, India Women will also face the Chinese Taipei national team in Bahrain following which they will move to Sweden to play against two tier one sides.
Thomas Dennerby said ahead of the game against Bahrain, “These friendlies have been very helpful for the girls to understand the individual tasks and roles, and it also showed them how to cooperate together, both in attack and in defense,”
India Women team’s captain, Ashalata Devi made it clear that the aim is always to win. “These friendlies have been very helpful to us. We have won one game, and lost another, but the learnings taken from them are immense. The fact that we are getting to play against tough international sides, will give us a good reading of where we stand at the moment,“
“We have Bahrain up next, and our aim, like always is to win the match. The girls are all motivated and ready to give 100 per cent against Bahrain.” Ashalata Devi added.
Team News
The 23-member squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Aditi Chauhan, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi, Shreya Hooda.
Defenders: Dalima Chhibber, Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Ashalata Devi, Ranjana Chanu, Michel Castanha, Manisa Panna, Astam Oraon.
Midfielders: Sangita Basfore, Indumathi Kathiresan, Sanju, Martina Thokchom.
Forwards: Dangmei Grace, Anju Tamang,Sandhiya Ranganathan, Soumya Guguloth, Manisha Kalyan, Sumati Kumari, Pyari Xaxa, Renu.
Match Facts
Venue– Hamad City Stadium
Time– 20:30 IST
Telecast– The last two friendlies were not telecasted and updates regarding the first game was not even provided on the social media handles, which made the fans question the federation. AIFF later clarified that it was a closed match. Any update regarding the telecast of this game has not been provided yet.
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