Indian Women's Football Team land in UAE for upcoming Friendlies

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 30 September 2021

The Indian women’s football team arrived in the Dubai on Thursday for its upcoming friendlies in the UAE and Bahrain, which get underway on Saturday. The friendly matches are part of the team's preparations for the AFC Women's Asian Cup, which will be held in India next year. The Indian team has been camping in Jamshedpur with help from the government of Jharkhand.

The Indian women’s football team arrived in the Dubai on Thursday for its upcoming friendlies in the UAE and Bahrain, which get underway on Saturday. The friendly matches are part of the team's preparations for the AFC Women's Asian Cup, which will be held in India next year. The Indian team has been camping in Jamshedpur with help from the government of Jharkhand.

The 23-member squad and support crew flew from Jamshedpur to New Delhi before taking a journey to Dubai. Before travelling to Bahrain, where it will face the hosts on October 10 and Chinese Taipei on October 13, the team will play friendlies against the United Arab Emirates (October 2) and Tunisia (October 4).

“The girls are all excited to be getting some match time for our Asian Cup preparation. We have trained hard for the last month in Jamshedpur, and now we are ready to test ourselves against some tough opponents," said head coach Thomas Dennerby.

Ashalata Devi, the captain and center-back, complimented the authorities for organising a camp and international matches in the midst of the pandemic.

“We know the situation is not easy right now, but the way everything has been arranged to help us set up a long term preparation for the Asian Cup is amazing," said Ashalata Devi. “Right from the camp being organised by the Jharkhand Government with top facilities, to matches scheduled against tough opponents, we have received immense support. “All the girls are extremely thankful for that, and we are all putting in our full effort to be ready for the Asian Cup," she stated.

Goalkeepers Aditi Chauhan, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi, and Shreya Hooda make up the 23-member roster. Dalima Chhibber, Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Ashalata Devi, Ranjana Chanu, Michel Castanha, Manisa Panna, Astam Oraon, Michel Castanha, Manisa Panna, Astam Oraon.

Sangita Basfore, Indumathi Kathiresan, Sanju, and Martina Thokchom are the midfielders. Dangmei Grace, Anju Tamang, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Soumya Guguloth, Manisha Kalyan, Sumati Kumari, Pyari Xaxa, Renu.