With a semifinal spot already secured, India will look to reaffirm their dominance after they tackle Bangladesh of their ultimate Group A match of the SAFF Girls’s Championship in Kathmandu on Wednesday. For Bangladesh, this can be a do-or-die conflict. A win would crown them group champions, whereas a defeat would see Pakistan advance to the semifinals, with a superior objective distinction. Pakistan, additionally on 4 factors, would be part of India within the semifinals if the Blue Tigresses triumph. A draw would go away Bangladesh as group runners-up with 4 factors, however they want a victory to high the group.
The Blue Tigresses clinched their place within the semifinals with a commanding 5-2 victory over Pakistan however now their focus shifts to topping the group and avenging a painful reminiscence of 2022.
In that version, Bangladesh dealt a surprising blow on India by ending their unbeaten streak within the championship with a decisive 3-0 win within the group stage.
It marked the primary time India had misplaced to their South Asian rivals in SAFF historical past, and the Blue Tigresses can be desperate to set the report straight.
“Now we have confronted Bangladesh earlier than, and we watched their final recreation towards Pakistan. Our sole focus now’s to win this match,” skipper Bala Devi mentioned.
“Now we have each senior and younger gamers and we’re ready to push for a win. Now we have had productive coaching periods, and I hope we are able to put what we now have practiced into motion.” “Because the captain, I purpose to guide by instance and assist the workforce in each manner. Bangladesh has some quick and youthful gamers, however I consider our psychological energy provides us an edge, which can be essential in tomorrow’s recreation,” added the 34-year-old from Manipur.
Head coach Santosh Kashyap has led the workforce by 5 days of coaching in Kathmandu, making ready for the challenges that lie forward towards Bangladesh.
He has fastidiously assessed all of the potential threats posed by the opposition.
“Tomorrow’s match can be difficult, as Bangladesh are a robust aspect with a overseas coach and have stable tactical plans. Though we now have already booked a spot within the semi-finals, we’re taking it one recreation at a time, aiming to win each match.
“I choose taking part in attacking soccer as a result of it is not solely efficient but additionally entertaining for everybody. It is a model that I, in addition to the gamers, get pleasure from, and we are going to attempt to preserve that momentum,” Kashyap mentioned.
Defender Dalima Chhibber, who was named the Most Worthwhile Participant within the 2019 SAFF Girls’s Championship, is making her return to the event after lacking the 2022 version.
She was absent final time because of taking part in three seasons in Canada, however now she’s again and able to compete within the SAFF Championship as soon as once more.
Bangladesh and Pakistan are at the moment tied on one level every after a 1-1 draw of their group-stage match.
For Bangladesh, the absence of coach Golam Rabbani Choton, together with key gamers like defender Akhi Khatun and Anai Mogini, can be felt.
Nonetheless, the workforce have introduced in contemporary abilities, together with younger gamers resembling Afeida Khandakar, Matsushima Sumaya, and Airin Khatun.
“We’re arising towards an Indian workforce, who, for my part, are most likely the perfect workforce within the event,” Bangladesh head coach Peter Butler mentioned.
“They’re very disciplined and organised of their method and their manner of really how they stroll across the lodge. I feel it will be fairly an attacking recreation. An important factor is to attempt to share out the workload with all our gamers.
“It is a do or die recreation. It is a recreation we do not need to lose. India’s already booked their semi-final berth and I am quietly optimistic,” he added.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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