On Tuesday, October 15 , as the Indian National Senior Women's team arrived in the Nepal capital, Ashalata spoke of the two different emotions that have been playing in her mind.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am excited and happy that I will play my 100th game against Pakistan. The focus, however, will be on winning all the games and taking the trophy back home. This is the main dream and motive for coming to Nepal,\u201d Ashalata told AIFF.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am looking forward to all the matches in the championship because it is an extremely important tournament to us. We already suffered a setback in the last SAFF, but it will be different this time,\u201d said a determined Ashalata.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She wasn\u2019t far from the truth. In the 2022 edition, India, then considered the unconquered queen of SAFF, failed to defend the title. Although the last championship results didn't go in India\u2019s favour, Ashalata and her team remained resolute, knowing they would come back stronger.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis is the sixth time I will play in SAFF. We were champions four times. I want to win this year\u2019s title for us because it\u2019s a special championship for me. We are determined to prove ourselves,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On arrival, Head Coach Santosh Kashyap said, \u201cIt\u2019s always a great pleasure and honour to be here in Nepal. I came twice as a player and enjoyed every moment. We are well prepared this time for the championship and will try to play entertaining and attacking football.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Coach Kashyap is aware of the team's disappointment in the last edition but is confident of a good performance in the upcoming matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe last edition was a bit disappointing, and I think you cannot always be the champions. So it's a part of the game. Sometimes setbacks happen and it happened last time. Every team is improving and trying to do their best. And that's all about competition. So we are well prepared this time and hope it will be a good show.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI enjoy playing attacking football, and the team have adapted well during the last three weeks of the preparatory camp. The tournament will be highly competitive, as all the teams are performing admirably. I expect the matches to be interesting and competitive, something that everyone can enjoy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The main thing is to win the championship,\u201d said the head coach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI enjoy playing attacking football, and the team have adapted well during the last three weeks of the preparatory camp. The tournament will be highly competitive, as all the teams are performing admirably. I expect the matches to be interesting and competitive, something that everyone can enjoy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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