Shillong, Aug 17: Alisha Lyngdoh and Bonifilia Shullai (pictured left and right) have been included in India’s squad for the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship 2025, which will be held in Bhutan.
Bonifilia has already represented India at the U-16 level and has now graduated to the U-17 team. Last year she featured in all four of India’s matches in the U-16 SAFF tournament where India were runners-up.
She had represented Rangdajied United, Garhwal FC, Bengaluru FC U-15s, 4 For All Football Academy and Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools.
Alisha, meanwhile, is also a former Rangdajied player and has also featured for Inter Kashi in the Indian Women’s League 2024-25.
Her home district association, the East Jaintia Hills District Football Association, congratulated her on being selected for the national squad, praising her for her dedication and hard work. The EJHDFA “feels proud and overwhelmed to wish her all the best for her upcoming task and career to make our district of East Jaintia Hills proud”.
The squad was announced by the All India Football Federation today. Coach Joakim Alexandersson, who recently guided the India U-20 women to their first AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualification in two decades, will now lead the U-17s as they gear up for the SAFF Championship in the lead-up to the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, which will be held in October.
The tournament in Bhutan’s capital Thimphu will run from 20th to 31st August.
In a new format that will provide the players more game time, the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship will feature four teams – India, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh – competing in a double round-robin league.
Each team will play six matches and the one with the most points will be crowned champions. All matches will be played at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu and will be streamed live on the Sportzworkz YouTube Channel, the AIFF said on its website.
India squad:
Goalkeepers: Munni, Surajmuni Kumari, Tamphasana Devi Konjengbam
Defenders: Alena Devi Sarangthem, Alisha Lyngdoh, Binita Horo, Divyani Linda, Elizabed Lakra, Priya, Ritu Badaik, Taniya Devi Tonambam
Midfielders: Abhista Basnett, Anita Dungdung, Beena Kumari, Bonifilia Shullai, Julan Nongmaithem, Pritika Barman, Shveta Rani, Thandamoni Baskey
Forwards: Anushka Kumari, Nira Chanu Longjam, Pearl Fernandes, Valaina Jada Fernandes
Support staff: Joakim Alexandersson (head coach), Nivetha Ramadoss (assistant coach), Dipankar Choudhury (goalkeeping coach), Saifulla (strength & conditioning coach)
India fixtures:
20th Aug: vs Nepal, 2:30PM IST
22nd Aug: vs Bangladesh, 2:30PM IST
24th Aug: vs Bhutan, 2:30PM IST
27th Aug: vs Bhutan, 5:30PM IST
29th Aug: vs Nepal, 5:30PM IST
31st Aug: vs Bangladesh, 2:30PM IST
(File photos)
