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The Indian women’s football team head coach Thomas Dennerby announced the squad for the forthcoming SAFF Women's U-18s Championship earlier today. The tournament is scheduled to kick-off on March 15.
The experienced coach feels that participation in a tournament like this will give the girls the required exposure to play under the pressure of competitive matches.
The 62-year-old coach, who had previously coached the Senior Indian Women’s Team feels the education that the youngsters have had since an early age makes their prospects bright. He said:
“The great thing about them is that they have been properly educated about football from a very young age. The key now is to keep on with that. They need to keep training properly on a regular basis.”
Dennerby, who has previously guided the Swedish Women’s Team to the quarterfinals of the Olympics and the Nigerian Women’s Team to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 added:
“I’ve seen many players who are supremely talented at the age of 15-16, but then they disappear later on. Many who have some average talent go on to be top players in the world. So it’s important to practice hard in an organized manner, no matter how much talent one has.”
Dennerby further added that the squad is not fully finalized for the World Cup but the SAFF Championship will be crucial in their preparation for it. The 62-year-old believes that playing in a tournament serves differently than in a friendly match where results are not taken as seriously.
The India U-17 team has been training in Jamshedpur with infrastructural and logistical aid from the Government of Jharkhand. They are now set to face off against Bangladesh and Nepal in the SAFF U-18 Women’s Championship.
Fixtures:
March 15: India vs Nepal
March 19: Bangladesh vs India
March 21: Nepal vs India
March 25: India vs Bangladesh
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: Hempriya Seram, Melody Chanu Keisham, Adrija Sarkhel.
Defenders: Astam Oraon, Nisha, Ritu Devi, Purnima Kumari, Naketa, Kajal, Varshika.
Midfielders: Shilky Devi Hemam, Poonam, Subhangi Singh, Priyanka Sujeesh, Martina Thokchom, Babina Devi, Nitu Linda.
Forwards: Naita Kumari, Rejiya Devi, Amisha Baxla, Sunita Munda, Lynda Kom Serto.
