Panaji: India’s women’s football team made headlines on October 17, 2024, with a stunning 5-2 victory over Pakistan in their opening match of the SAFF Women’s Championship at the Dasarath Stadium. This win was especially emotional, featuring remarkable milestones from two standout players: Bala Devi and Ashalata Devi.
Bala Devi scored her 50th international goal in the 35th minute of the match, dedicating the achievement to her late father, who passed away a few months ago. “This goal is for my father. Though he is no longer with me, I know he would be proud of me today,” she shared, tears in her eyes as the national anthem played before the game. Her heartfelt tribute resonated with fans and teammates alike.
The match kicked off with a strong start for India. Grace Dangmei netted two goals, while Manisha added another to make it 5-2. Jyoti Chauhan also made headlines by scoring her debut goal in the 78th minute. "I am really happy and satisfied with my performance. My father had a dream that I would wear the Indian colors and score for the country," Jyoti said after her impressive debut.
Ashalata Devi, the team captain, reached a remarkable milestone by earning her 100th cap for India during this match. The 31-year-old defender made her debut in March 2011 and has since become a vital figure in Indian women’s football. The All India Football Federation praised her achievement, highlighting how her journey began when she was called up to the U-17 team at just 15 years old. "When she pulled on an Indian shirt for the first time... few would have imagined that Ashalata Devi would take Indian women's football by storm," they noted.
Coach Santosh Kashyap commended the team’s performance, stating, "It was a great start. The players performed as expected, and getting the first goal from Grace was crucial." He emphasized that the team had planned to play aggressively from the beginning and achieved their goal with four quick strikes. However, he acknowledged that some defensive errors allowed Pakistan to score, adding a bit of tension to the match.
With the victory secured, the team quickly shifted focus to their next challenge: facing Bangladesh on October 23, 2024. The Blue Tigresses resumed training immediately, showing their determination to build on this success. “We are going one game at a time. We are happy with the result, but there’s still a lot to improve in our style of play,” Coach Kashyap said.
Bala Devi’s and Ashalata Devi’s accomplishments on the field not only brought joy to fans but also united the nation in celebration.
