Confident India begin SAFF U-20 Women’s C’ship campaign against Bhutan

DHAKA, BANGLADESH: The India U-20 Women’s National Team will depend on it’s mixture of youth and experience as they embark on their SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship campaign in Dhaka.
India begin their campaign against Bhutan at the Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a match that kicks-off at 2.30 pm IST.
India Head Coach Maymol Rocky stressed the importance of having a mix of experienced and young players in the squad, including those that have played in the Senior National Team already.
“We have had 20 days to prepare for SAFF U-20 Championship, and are also in the process of preparing for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers. We began with 35 players in the camp and have shortlisted it down to 23 for this tournament,” Maymol said on the eve of the India U-20s’ match against Bhutan.
“We have a mixture of youth and experience in our team, players that have played at the senior level as well, so I am sure the girls will give their 100 per cent and the results will follow,” she said.
When asked about her opponents for the tournament, Maymol showed ample respect, but believes that India can overcome all challenges if the girls give it their all.
“Bhutan are a good side, as are Nepal. Bangladesh have been doing brilliantly in the last few years, and they are definitely a team to watch out for,” she said. “But if we give it our best shot, we can overcome all obstacles.”
India captain Martina Thokchom, one of the players who have played in the Senior Women’s Team before, spoke of the advantages of being in the same camp with the Blue Tigresses in the build-up to the SAFF Championship.
“Yes, we are a junior team, but we were in the same camp as the seniors, and that has really helped us get. We all stayed in the same hotel and even played a match together. It was a good learning experience, especially for the new girls in this team,” said Martina.
Bhutan U-20 Women’s Team Head Coach Karma Dema looked to play down her side’s preparation ahead of the championship, stating that participating in the event would be a learning curve for them.
“We feel happy and blessed to participate in SAFF. Our preparation has not been as long as some of the others, but we are all happy to get the opportunity to play,” said Dema. “Many of our players will be playing on the international stage for the first time, so this will be a good experience for team to play against sides like India, Bangladesh and Nepal.”
Bhutan captain Sonam Gaki Pelzom echoed her coach’s words, saying, “We came here with a mindset of giving 100 per cent. The results are of course there, but they are not as important to us as putting in the effort and trying to play well. Intention is the key for us.”
The India U-20 Women’s Team’s match against Bhutan will kick-off at 2.30 pm IST, and will be streamed live on the Sportzworkz YouTube channel.
Also Read: FC Goa complete signing of defender Nikhil Prabhu
Also Read: 10 men Kenkre hold table toppers RoundGlass Punjab in a 6-goal thriller
Feature / I-league / Mumbai Football
Mumbai Kenkre FC offers Investment opportunities
Mumbai’s Kenkre FC is actively seeking investors, who are passionate about football development and willing to propel the club to the next phase. Mumbai’s sole representative in this year’s Hero…
Senior Women's NFC / Women Football
Maharashtra team for Hero Senior Women’s National Football Championship announced
Mumbai, Maharashtra – The Western India Football Association (WIFA) has announced the Maharashtra women’s football team for the upcoming 27th edition of the Hero Senior Women’s National Football Championship, which…
Hero 2nd Division / I-League Qualifiers
Mathew’s stunning free-kick helps AUA FC secure draw against ARA FC
An Inspired 2nd half performance helped AUA FC overcome a goal deficit at the break to level the game at full time, walking away with a point and the unbeaten…
Indian women held to a stalemate by Jordan
AMMAN, JORDAN: The Indian Senior Women’s Team drew goalless against hosts Jordan in the second of the two friendly matches at the Petra Stadium in Amman on Tuesday, March 22, 2023….
FC Bengaluru United confident ahead of away encounter against Golden Threads FC, says coach Fernando Varela
~ FC Bengaluru United coach Varela sees defeats as opportunities for tactical introspection ~~ Varela emphasizes the importance of creating a positive yet competitive atmosphere for FC Bengaluru United ~ Bengaluru,…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Anirudh Thapa strikes in India’s win over Myanmar in Hero Tri-Nation opener
IMPHAL: India clinched a 1-0 victory over Myanmar at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal, in the opening match of the Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament on Wednesday, March 22, 2023….
FC Bengaluru United and Golden Threads FC Share Points in Hard-Fought Encounter
Kochi, March 27th: In a hard-fought encounter of the 2nd Division, I League qualifier, FC Bengaluru United shared points with Kerala-based, Golden Threads FC in their first away game of…
Blue Tigers to go all out against Kyrgyz Republic in Hero Tri-Nation decider
IMPHAL: In the third and last game of the Hero Tri-Nation International Football Tournament, hosts India and Kyrgyz Republic will battle it out for the trophy at the Khuman Lampak Stadium…
Sunil Chhetri wants to score many more goals for India
IMPHAL: Two decades in Indian Football, and 84 goals for the Blue Tigers. Yet this is the first time that Blue Tigers legend Sunil Chhetri is playing a competitive match in…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…