SHILLONG, FEB 4: South Asian Games (SAG) defending champion Indian women football team is confident of putting up a good show to retain the trophy in the 12 edition of the SAG games to be played in Shillong. The opening day game slated for Friday will see the Indian women team taking on Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex.
Of the eight competing nations, five are participating for the gala women’s football event including defending champions and hosts India, neighbouring Bangladesh and Pakistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
India’s coach Sajid Dar and captain Oinam Bembem Devi said they are confidence of retaining the title for a second consecutive games but will not be taking the competition lightly.
Coach Dar said during a news conference on Thursday, “We’re the defending champions so all eyes will be on us and expectations will naturally be high. Our team is looking to start off well with Maldives and we’re hoping to get the best result against them,” while India’s skipper Bembem said that they have been working hard for the last two weeks and will try to defend the title. “I will do my level best along with the team,” she added.
Naoko Kawamoto, who has been assigned by the Japan Football Association to take over the reigns as Maldives’ gaffer almost two years ago said that her side has been working hard on improving their attack and defence while going on to claim that the current squad is stronger than at the last SAG.
“The Japan Football Association sent me to coach Maldives as there is a close connection between Japan and the Maldives. For this competition, out target is to win at least one game. Bangladesh, India and Nepal are strong teams but I believe our team is ready for this tournament,” she said.
Kawamoto also expressed her satisfaction with the overall arrangements for the games. One of the key players for the Maldives, Fadhuwa went on to say that the cold weather could be a minus point considering “Maldives is a warm country” but quickly added that they will put up their best performance despite the odds.
Meanwhile, neighbours Bangladesh, who finished with a bronze medal last time, will be a tough competitor. Coach Md. Golam Robbani Choton, who was present with Bangladesh’s captain Sabina Khatun, was optimistic that they would finish the tournament impressively.
The opening day of the women’s football tournament will see Bangladesh take on Nepal at 9:30 am while Maldives play India at 1:30 pm. Both matches will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, Shillong.-By Our Reporter
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