Team needs to have aggression to win, says Head Coach Maymol Rocky
DHAKA, BANGLADESH: Maymol Rocky was an exasperated person Tuesday night. The crushing 1-3 defeat against Nepal in the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship that effectively threw India U-20 Women’s team out of the competition, left her wondering what exactly went wrong for the pre-tournament favourites.
But then, it wasn’t that the India Head Coach was unaware of the ground realities. She sounded forthright when she said: “The lack of passion to score on the field cost us dear.
“It is sad that the best team (India) in the tournament could not make the finals. We never expected this outcome. I believe the aggression to score and win a match was missing somewhere,” Maymol told the-aiff.com.
In the match on Tuesday, India had their moments early in the encounter and took the lead in the 21st minute through Apurna Narzary, but it was the Nepal colts who restored parity in the 48th minute, and then they scored from the penalty in the 69th minute to take the lead. They struck another in the 89th minute to make it 3-1.
“It’s the small mistakes that always lead to such results and affect the team. It was no different during our match either. The penalty we conceded proved to be the game-changer. It’s all about how focused you are when you have the ball with you.
“Nepal were a strong side. They performed, scored and finally won the match. It was a really heartbreaking and unexpected result for us,” Maymol added.
India started the SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship campaign with a resounding victory against Bhutan (12-0) and then drew against Bangladesh in their next encounter. They were only a point away from playing the final at the Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka on March 9, but it didn’t happen the way the fans expected.
“Everyone came prepared to win the tournament, but on a given day, you have to perform. Our girls gave their best in the last two games against Bhutan and Bangladesh but somehow couldn’t play against Nepal and we had to suffer the loss,” Maymol pointed out.
“These girls are talented, but they have to work a lot harder if they want to succeed in their football careers. Discipline, determination, and passion have to be there,” she added.
The India U-20 Women’s Team will resume training at Chennai as they prepare for their upcoming AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers next month. Maymol said, “We all are going back with a heavy heart and we need to work on many areas. I hope the girls understand that no tournament is easy and they need the necessary aggression to win a match.”
Also Read: Sreenidi Deccan survive bruising encounter, beat TRAU in Imphal
RFDL’s National Championship Preview: A Heated Battle as Football’s Brightest Stars Vie for Title Win in the Final Four Showdown
The National Championship of the elite U-21 youth tournament, the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) begins on May 14, Tuesday, with four teams, i.e. defending champions Bengaluru FC, Muthoot FA, East Bengal…
Punjab FC, East Bengal FC to lock horns in Reliance Foundation Development League 2023 – 24 final after emerging triumphant in semis
Bengaluru FC and Muthoot FA to fight out in the third-place playoff Mumbai, May 14: Punjab FC and East Bengal FC qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation Development League…
RFDL is the ultimate scouting platform – Thangboi Singto, Hyderabad FC Head Coach
Hyderabad FC head coach, Thangboi Singto, hailed the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) as the premier scouting ground for budding football players in India. As the 2023-24 season’s National Championship…
Big brother, wonderful human being, the GOAT: Chhetri an inspiration to teammates
BHUBANESWAR: As the Indian senior men’s team gathered in the Kalinga Stadium gym for their session on Thursday morning, there was a hush in the room. Less than an hour ago,…
Sunil Chhetri: A glorious international career at a glance
Born: August 3, 1984 Debut on June 12, 2005: vs Pakistan (Quetta) Matches played: 150 (captain in 87 matches) Goals scored: 94 (Top goalscorer for India) Trophies Won– Achievements– Awards– Also Read: Big brother, wonderful…
A beautiful dream will come to an end on June 6, says Sunil Chhetri
BHUBANESWAR: The journey that began in 2006 in the faraway city of Quetta in Pakistan, will finally come to an end in Kolkata on June 6, 2024, after an eventful 19…
Chembur United-Jupiter FC and GKW Ranger Ease Past in their Outing in MFA First Division
In an exhilarating showdown in the MFA First Division, Chembur United-Jupiter FC cruised past Companeroes SC with a comprehensive 4-0 victory, while GKW Rangers edged out MH Oranje FC with…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
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…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / 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…