Kathmandu, Oct. 17: The 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship is kicking off at Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu, today (Thursday) marked by the India vs Pakistan match, a rivalry where both teams will be striving for victory.

In the earlier edition of the SAFF Women’s Championship in 2022, India defeated Pakistan by 3-0 in the duo’s first encounter in the group stage. The two teams are meeting once again at the same stage and stadium with Pakistan aiming to upset its group opponents: five-time champions India and defending champion Bangladesh.

“We are confident in our team and excited for the tournament. We play football to play against the best,” said Maria Jamila Khan, captain of Pakistan, while responding to a question regarding Pakistan’s tough opponents in the group.

Pakistan’s coach Adeel Mirza Rizki, who coached the team in the SAFF Championship in 2022 as well, expressed his confidence in the team and said, “We feel more comfortable this time.”

However, it will not be easy as the other two teams are aiming for a similar feat.

“I did some research on the teams. There are quality teams in the tournament such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. It will be an interesting and competitive tournament. Big respect to all teams, but we look to lift the trophy once again,” said Santosh Kashyap, head coach of India.

India vs Pakistan will also be marking a milestone in the life of Indian captain Ashalata Devi Loitongbam as she will be playing her 100th international match for her country.

“I am excited and happy that I will play my 100th game against Pakistan. The focus, however, will be on winning all the games and taking the trophy back home,” said Ashalata.

Nevertheless, the defending champion is looking forward to keeping the trophy. “I really do believe we have got a great chance from the technical and tactical perspective as we are as good as anybody,” said Peter Butler, Bangladesh’s head coach.

Butler also stressed that his team would be respecting the opponents but would strive for the trophy.

On the other hand, host Nepal is looking forward to disallowing the visitors from taking the trophy away once again. Nepal has been denied the SAFF Women’s Championship five times in the past six editions after losing in the finals: four times to India and once to Bangladesh.

As per what Nepal’s head coach Rajendra Tamang said in the pre-tournament conference on Wednesday, Nepal was not trained as well as the other teams. “However, we have good players and they are doing exceptionally well,” said Tamang, adding that the team was optimistic about winning the tournament this time.

Nepal’s captain and goalie Anjila Tumbapo Subba also expressed complete belief in the team and shared the desire to end the deadlock in the trophy-less journey of the Nepali women’s football team.

Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka also shared their hopes to lifting the trophy with a possibly surprising comeback against the other opponents.