Indian Women’s National Team would be playing three International Friendlies against Bahrain in September. The matches which would be played at the Al Ahli Club Stadium have been scheduled on the following dates:
First match: September 17, 2011 (IST: 8.30pm).
Second match: September 20, 2011 (IST: 8.30pm).
Third match: September 23, 2011 (IST: 8.30pm).
Striker Shasmita Malik has been named as the Captain.
The squad underwent a training camp under Chief Coach Mohammad Shahid Jabbar in Lucknow for the tour. Jabbar declared: “The girls are up for the challenge. We have trained hard and hope to perform well.”
The 23-member list is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Sita Sharma, Usharani Das, Swarnamayee Samal
Defenders: Ashem Romi Devi, Gurumayum Radharani Devi, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Rashmita Patra, Alochana Senapati, Bijayalaxmi Sahoo, Suprava Samal, Tuli Goon
Midfielders: Yumnam Kamala Devi, Yumlembem Premi Devi, Supriya Routray, Paromita Sit, Sharon Fernandes, Nameirakpam Montesori Chanu, Nosaba Alam
Strikers: Irom Parmeshwori Devi, Nimalhamu Bhutia, Laishram Naobi Chanu, Pinky Bompal Magar, Sasmita Malik
Head Coach: Mohammad Shahid Jabbar
Assistant Coach: Pratima Biswas & Shukla Dutta
Goalkeeping Coach: Chitra Gangadharan
Physiotherapist: Kruti Marolia
Team Manager: Indu Chaudhary
the-aiff.com
IFN View: Indian women’s team has been neglected throughout the history of AIFF and for the sole reason of not playing enough matches in a year, the team has been dropped off the FIFA Rankings many times. But, whenever they were ranked, they were always in top 60 teams. This means that they have a stronger chance of qualifying to FIFA WC than men if groomed properly. Its welcoming to see that AIFF has arranged these international friendlies against Bahrain. More importantly, they have equipped the team with separate goalkeeping coach and physiotherapist. Hope this kind of effort continues.
