Introduction:
The 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship opener saw Pakistan take on their traditional rivals, India. Pakistan, dressed in their white and green kits, entered the match with high hopes, while India, in their familiar orange, looked confident from the start. This match also marked the debut of Pakistan’s Sana Mehdi. With both teams ready to battle, it was clear from the outset that India had a firm grip on the game, but Pakistan showed glimpses of resilience throughout the 90 minutes.
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PAKISTAN
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI:
- Nisha (GK)
- Kayla
- Maria Jamil (C)
- Nizalia
- Amina
- Suha
- Nadia
- Sanah
- Rameen
- Isra
- Zahmena
Substitutes:
- Aliya Sadiq
- Anushey Usman
- Kayenat Bokhari
- Anmol Hira
- Fatima Nasir
Head Coach: Adeel Rizki
Team Manager: Syeda Hiba Hasnain
INDIA
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI:
- Elangbam Panthoi (GK)
- Dalima
- Juli
- Ashalata Devi
- Ranjana Chanu
- Priyangka Devi
- Sangita
- Manisha
- Anju
- Bala Devi
- Grace
Substitutes:
- Aruna Bag
- Linthoingambi Devi Maibam
- Sanju
- Shilky Devi Hemam
- Payal Ramesh Basude
Head Coach: Santosh Kumar Kashyap
Team Manager: Tababi Devi Thongram
Kickoff:
0’ – The whistle blows, and the match kicks off. India immediately makes their intentions clear, launching an attack in the first minute. Manesha exploits the space in Pakistan’s half, signaling early trouble for Pakistan’s defense.
1’ – Sana Mehdi, on her debut, comes to Pakistan’s rescue with a well-timed sliding tackle, halting Manesha’s dangerous run toward the box.
3’ – Pakistan begins to find their footing, trying to exploit gaps in India’s defense and push forward into Indian territory.
4’ – Goal! India 1-0 Pakistan
India’s pressure pays off early. Grace, from the right side of the 18-yard box, drills a powerful shot into the back of the net. Pakistan’s goalkeeper Nisha Ashraf stood no chance. A resolute start by India.
6’ – India continues to dominate with another cross from the right flank, but Pakistan manages to clear the danger this time.
9’ – A hopeful ball toward Pakistan’s Nadia struggles to connect, reminiscent of her 2023 heroics when she netted four goals against Nepal.
10’ – Pakistan’s captain, Maria Khan, is fouled as she tries to clear the ball with a header. The captain looks frustrated as India keeps the pressure up.
11’ – Pakistan is being pushed into their own half as India controls the flow of the game.
12’ – India is dominating both in composure and passing, keeping Pakistan on the back foot.
13’ – Pakistan’s forwards, Nadia and Zarmena, struggle with communication, missing key chances to link up and break through India’s defense.
14’ – India continues pressing, keeping the ball firmly in Pakistan’s final third. Pakistan’s defense is looking shaky.
15’ – An easy save for Nisha Ashraf as India tries another shot at goal.
16’ – Pakistan finally rebounds, managing to carry the ball into India’s half for the first time in a while.
17’ – Goal! India 2-0 Pakistan
Manesha strikes! This time from the right side of the box, she rolls the ball into the 6-yard area and calmly slots it home. Pakistan briefly had possession, but India swiftly regained control and doubled their lead.
18’ – Sana Mehdi disrupts Manesha’s momentum, leading to a goal kick for Pakistan. India’s left-winger, Manesha, seems unstoppable so far.
20’ – Pakistan’s passing falters again, and they fail to create meaningful chances.
21’ – A beautiful cross from India’s right flank, but the final touch is missing. Pakistan breathes a sigh of relief.
22’ – Another close call for India as their No. 9 misses a flicked shot in the box. That could have easily been the third goal for India.
23’ – Pakistan’s coordination is falling apart. They get the ball but lose possession almost instantly.
25’ – After some time, Pakistan regains the ball and advances, but India swiftly recovers and retakes possession.
26’ – A fantastic cross from India’s left flank into Pakistan’s 6-yard box, but Nisha Ashraf makes a heroic save, preventing India from scoring their third.
27’ – Another dangerous cross by Manesha, but Pakistan clears this time.
29’ – India’s Priyanka Devi attempts a long-range shot, but Nisha makes a comfortable save.
30’ – India earns a free kick from the right flank, but Pakistan’s defense stands firm and clears.
31’ – Pakistan carries the ball into India’s half, but they lose it quickly, and India is back on the attack. India’s build-up play remains strong.
32’ – Manesha is back in the action, engaging Pakistan’s defense, but the ball is safely collected by Nisha Ashraf.
34’ – Goal! India 3-0 Pakistan
A controversial free kick is awarded to India inside the penalty box for an unknown violation. Bala Devi steps up and coolly slots the ball home, marking her 50th goal for India – an incredible achievement.
37’ – India maintains possession, frustrating Pakistan, who struggle to mount any significant efforts.
40’ – Pakistan finally gets a decent chance with a free kick from the left flank. A header attempt is saved by India’s goalkeeper – the first real attempt by Pakistan.
41’ – Another chance for Pakistan with a corner, but their header misses the target. Two missed opportunities in quick succession.
42’ – Goal! India 4-0 Pakistan
India capitalizes on Pakistan’s shaky defense. A cross comes in, and with the Pakistani goalkeeper out of position, the ball is slotted past Maria Khan. Pakistan’s goalkeeper looks devastated. This is Own Goal (OG).
44’ – Three minutes of added time announced.
45+1’ – Penalty for Pakistan! Nadia Khan is fouled in a dangerous area by Lata Devi, giving Pakistan a golden opportunity.
45+2’ – Goal! Pakistan 1-4 India
Vice-captain Soha steps up for the penalty and slots it into the far post. India’s goalkeeper guesses the direction but can’t reach it. A morale-boosting debut goal for Soha just before half-time.
Half-Time: Pakistan 1-4 India
Pakistan manages to pull one back through a set-piece, but India remains firmly in control.
Second Half:
46’ – Pakistan kicks off the second half with renewed energy. Rameen delivers a brilliant corner, and Goal! Pakistan 2-4 India
Kayla Siddiqui heads the ball into the net, assisted by Nadia. Pakistan, once again, capitalizes on set-pieces and surprises India.
50’ – India quickly returns to form, creating another chance, but Kayla, the goal scorer, clears the danger.
51’ – Nisha Ashraf makes back-to-back saves, providing some much-needed respite for Pakistan.
54’ – India continues pressing, creating multiple chances. Pakistan needs to stay vigilant.
55’ – Pakistan earns a free kick, and Maria Khan steps up. Her long-range shot sails over the crossbar.
60’ – Zarmena Malik finds herself in the 6-yard box but fails to connect with the ball. A missed chance for Pakistan.
62’ – A deflected shot from Nisha’s gloves leaves an open goal, but India fails to capitalize on the rebound.
68’ – Nadia advances with a cross, and Zarmena fires a shot that goes over the crossbar. Zarmena’s luck isn’t with her today, despite her smart link-up play with Nadia.
74’ – India regains control, sending in crosses and long-range shots, but Pakistan’s defense, led by Maria Khan, stands firm.
77’ – Goal! India 5-2 Pakistan
Substitute Jyoti enters the box and calmly converts a cross from the right side, restoring India’s three-goal cushion.
87’ – Pakistan gets a chance inside the 6-yard box, but Nadia Khan narrowly misses the target. Frustration is evident.
90’ – Five minutes of added time.
92’ – India’s Anju fires a shot wide, missing the target as they seek a sixth goal.
Full-Time: India 5-2 Pakistan
India wins the first match of the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship with a dominant performance. Despite Pakistan’s two set-piece goals, India’s overall quality shone through. Pakistan will take lessons from this match as they prepare for their next encounter.
Concluding Notes:
India’s attacking prowess, led by Manesha and Baladevi, proved too much for Pakistan’s defense, though Pakistan showed flashes of resilience, particularly with their set-piece effectiveness. For Pakistan, Soha and Kayla’s goals will serve as a morale boost, but they’ll need better coordination and defensive composure in future matches.
Related: Here’s the Complete Schedule for the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship Group Stage
You can watch full match here: