SHILLONG: Hosts India will take on Maldives on the first day of the 12th South Asian Games which kicks-off in Shillong on Friday.
India will play their opponents at the JN Sports Complex at 1.30 PM. Nepal will lock horns with Bangladesh in the first match of the day at 9.30 AM.
On the eve of the tie, Indian women’s football team coach Sajid Dar and captain Oinam Bembem Devi expressed confidence that the hosts will strike Gold in the event.
“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,” Dar said during a press conference at the State Convention Centre here on Thursday.
The coach added that two weeks of training in Shillong had made his side game-ready and accustomed to the weather conditions in Shillong.
It may be mentioned that 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.
Skipper, Bembem Devi, who is playing the last tournament of her 20-year long career, said that the side will do all it can do defend the title.
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 admit that the current squad is stronger than at the last South Asian Games.
She, however, cautioned her side that India, Bangladesh and Nepal were tough teams to beat.
Bangladeshi coach Md Golam Robbani, who was also present, exuded confidence that the team would put up a good performance in the event.
Today’s Matches
Nepal v/s Bangladesh @ 9:30 AM.
India v/s Maldives @
1:30 PM