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New Indian Express
a day ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Seven Jharkhand girls named in 23-member squad for the SAFF U-17 championship
RANCHI: After showing its mettle in hockey, Jharkhand has also found a spotlight on national football as seven young girls from the state have been named in the country's 23-member squad for the upcoming South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-17 Women's Championship, scheduled to be held in Bhutan this year. Out of these seven girls, five are from the same school in Gumla, and belong to farmers' families, while the remaining two are from Ranchi and Hazaribagh. Players selected from Gumla Residential Centre are Surajmuni Kumari, Elizabeth Lakra, Anita Dungdung, Vinita Hero and Bina Kumari. Anushka Kumari is from Hazaribagh Residential Girls Football Training Centre and Divyani Linda from Star Warriors Ranchi. All these players are currently in Bengaluru to prepare for the competition to be held in Bhutan from August 20 to 31. Coach of the five Gumla girls, Veena Kerketta, said that the selection of these players from the Gumla centre is a matter of pride for the entire district.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
SAFF U-17 Championship 2025 — Full schedule announced, India vs Pakistan on September 22
The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has announced the schedule for the Under-17 SAFF Championship, which will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from September 15 to 27 this year. The 10th edition of the tournament will have seven countries divided into two groups, with India and Pakistan drawn in the same group. SAFF U-17 Championship Groups: Group A: Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka Group B: India, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan Teams in each group will play each other once in a round-robin format, while the top two from each group will qualify for the semifinals. Games after the group stage will all be single-leg eliminators, played with provisions of extra-time and a penalty shootout in the event of a draw after regulation time. Host Sri Lanka will play the first match against Nepal, and all games of the tournament will be played at the Racecourse International Stadium. SAFF U-17 Championship Schedule: Group Stage: September 15 – 7:00 pm – Nepal vs Sri Lanka – Group A September 16 – 3:00 pm – India vs Maldives – Group B September 16 – 7:00 pm – Pakistan vs Bhutan – Group B September 18 – 7:00 pm – Bangladesh vs Nepal – Group A September 19 – 3:00 pm – Pakistan vs Maldives – Group B September 19 – 7:30 pm – Bhutan vs India – Group B September 21 – 7:00 pm – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – Group A September 22 – 3:00 pm – India vs Pakistan – Group B September 22 – 7:30 pm – Bhutan vs Maldives – Group B Knockouts: Semifinal 1– September 25 – 3:00 pm – Winner of Group A vs Runner-up of Group B Semifinal 2– September 25 – 7:30 pm – Winner of Group B vs Runner-up of Group A Final – September 27 – 6:00 pm — Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2 Defending champion India will open its campaign against the Maldives. The Blue Colts beat Bangladesh in the previous edition in Bhutan, with Mohammed Kaif and Mohammed Arbash scoring in a 2-0 win in September last year. India is also the most successful team in the tournament, winning the title six times.
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
After Asian qualification, Coach Crispin focuses on building strong team
CHENNAI: WHEN Indian footballer-turned coach Crispin Chettri took over the Indian women's football team at the beginning of the year, he had his job cut out for him. Since 2022, the women's team had not been in good form. Their AFC Asia Cup run as hosts was cut short due to a COVID outbreak, and their losses in the South Asian Football Federation's (SAFF) Championships and the Olympic and Asian Games qualifiers set up a tough mountain for him to climb. However, few would have imagined him leading the Blue Tigresses to the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup from that position. But that is exactly what transpired on Saturday (July 6) when midfielder Sangita Basfore scored two goals against Thailand to seal India's spot in the tournament. Not only did he guide the team to qualification, but Chhetri also successfully led one of the biggest comebacks for them. He believes the team's fighting spirit and commitment to the badge played a major role in qualification. 'This bunch of players are more like a family who are willing to die for each other. For them, the badge is more important for them than the name behind the jersey,' Chhetri told this daily.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
SAFF U19 C'ship: India aim to entertain crowd in summit clash
Yupia: Aimingto win their record-extending 10th SAFF age-group men's tournament, India will take on Bangladesh in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Championship 2025 final on Sunday at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, and head coach Bibiano Fernandes hopes his team can entertain the crowds. India have won the U15, U16, and U17 tournaments twice each, and the U18, U19, and U20 once each. Fernandes has won three of them and is looking for his fourth on Sunday. Bangladesh are familiar opponent for the Blue Colts. The two nations have met in four SAFF men's age-group finals, and India have won all four, including last year's SAFF U17 final by 2-0, with goals from Mohammed Arbash and Mohammed Kaif, both of whom are part of the current U19 squad. India have showcased utter dominance in front of a roaring Arunachal Pradesh crowd so far, winning 8-0 and 4-0 against Sri Lanka and Nepal, respectively, in the group stage, and 3-0 against the Maldives in the semifinal on Friday.
News18
17-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
SAFF U19 Championship: India Eye Record-Extending Title Against Bangladesh
Aiming to win their record-extending 10th SAFF age-group men's tournament, India will take on Bangladesh in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U19 Championship 2025 final on Sunday at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, and head coach Bibiano Fernandes hopes his team can entertain the crowds. India have won the U15, U16, and U17 tournaments twice each, and the U18, U19, and U20 once each. Fernandes has won three of them and is looking for his fourth on Sunday. Bangladesh are familiar opponent for the Blue Colts.
