SAG women’s football fixtures released

SHILLONG, JAN 12: The Indian women’s national football team has been clubbed with Afghanistan and Bangladesh for the 12^th South Asian Games 2016 women’s football event, which will kick off from February 7-15.

All the matches will be held at the revamped Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Polo, with half of the games to be played under floodlights. The stadium has played host to matches of the I-League, India’s top level football tournament, as well as the regional T Ao Memorial Football Tournament and this will be its biggest stage thus far.

Defending champions India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh make up Group A, while Group B comprises Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Women’s football was introduced at the 11^th South Asian Games in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2010. India took the gold medal, having beaten Nepal in the final. Bangladesh claimed the bronze.

The first match of this year’s tournament will be between Group B’s Maldives and Sri Lanka at 2 pm on February 7, followed by India’s opener at 7 pm against Afghanistan.

The semi-finals are scheduled for February 13, followed by the third-place playoff and grand final on February 15.

The Indian women’s team will have a preparatory camp for the forthcoming games in Shillong from January 17 to February 3. Thirty-two players have been shortlisted for the camp, which will be overseen by national coach Sajid Dar.

Fixtures

(All matches to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Polo, Shillong

Group Stage

Feb 7 Maldives vs Sri Lanka Group B 2:00pm

Feb 7 India vs Afghanistan Group A 7:00pm

Feb 9 Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Group A 2:00pm

Feb 9 Sri Lanka vs Nepal Group B 7:00pm

Feb 11 Nepal vs Maldives Group B 2:00pm

Feb 11 Bangladesh vs India Group A 7:00pm

Semi-Finals (SF)

Feb 13 Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B 2:00pm

Feb 13 Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A 7:00pm