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Pakistan eye improved show against India in SAFF opener

2024-10-17
KATHMANDU: Adeel Rizki`s emphasis was on growth; the Pakistan head coach hoping for a `good game` when his side take on India in their SAFF Women`s Championship opener on Thursday.

The last time the two cross-border rivals met on the football pitch, India ran out 3-0 winners in what was Pakistan`s first international match in eight years at the last edition of the regional tournament in 2022.

But since then, the Pakistan team has featured in several matches, including a six-nation tournament in Saudi Arabia and Rizki is counting at that exposure even though the Group `A` clash at the Dasharath Stadium will be his side`s first game in over a year.

`I think it will be an interesting match,` Rizki told reporters on Wednesday. `India have prepared well. They have a new coach as well, so they have new strategies, we don`t know what to expect.

`It`s a good rivalry. We respect them in terms of how they play and what they`ve done in the past.

On the other hand, we have done well and have grown a lot from last time.

We hope we can perform and have a good game against India tomorrow.

India have won five out of six editions of the tournament but head coach SantoshKashyabwaswary of Pakistan`s physicality.

`I have watched Pakistan`s recent matches,` he told reporters. `They have strong physicality and play good football.

Pakistan have their work cut out in advancing from the three-team group, which also features defending champions Bangladesh. The top two teams advance from each of the two groups advance to the semi-finals and Pakistan will face a tall order in their next game against the holders, who trounced them 6-0 last time out.-Agencies