India make winning start in SAFF Women's Championship

Kathmandu, 7 Sept - India got off to a winning start in the sixth edition of SAFF Women's Championship beating their arch-rival Pakistan by 3-0 goals in their opening Group A match held this (Wednesday) afternoon at Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

Pakistan women's national team, who marked their return to international football after eight long years, lost their way in the very beginning of the match and eventually failed to build any resistance against the defending champions.
 
India took the lead through a suicidal goal as Pakistan captain Maria Jamila Khan scored an own goal in the 21st minute.

The second goal came just two minutes later from India's Grace Dangmei while
substitute Soumya Guguloth completed the tally scoring the third goal for India in the last minute of the match which was the fourth minute of extra-time.

After the match, Pakistani coach Adil Rizky said they have merely come Nepal
to participate in the tournament to make the team more mature and to develop
the Pakistan women's football.

He said his girls really played well as per the game plan. Indian coach Suren Chetri said the first match was a very importance for them as it was tough match and he is happy of the team's victory.

India's Grace Dangmei was named the most valuable player for her impressive
performance in the match.

Pakistan will now play Bangladesh on September 10 and then Maldives on

September 13.

The top two teams from each of the two groups will qualify for the semi-
finals.