India vs Pakistan to open AFC Under-19 Women's Qualifiers

The Indian under-19 women's football team will be up against Pakistan in its opening match of the AFC Championship Qualifier here on Wednesday.

India coach Alex Ambrose said his team would look to keep emotions at bay in the clash against the arch-rivals.

"It may only make us lose focus on what our real objective is. All we want from our first game is three points. There is no special treatment as such for Pakistan. I want the girls to play to our plan and execute the ideas properly on the pitch, regardless of who we are playing," he said ahead of the match.

Although both the teams played in the SAFF U-18 championships, they did not face each other in Bhutan earlier this month.

While India topped their group and went on to clinch the bronze medal, Pakistan finished bottom of their pool, losing all their matches.

On the eve of the fixture between the two rivals, Pakistan head coach Mohammed Siddique Sheikh lauded India and said the qualifiers will give his players good exposure.

"These qualifiers are going to give our girls good exposure. I've seen the Indian team, and they play really good football," said Sheikh.

"Thailand and Nepal are also quite good, so we have to bring our best cards to the table. We are playing here for the first time, so things are going to be new for us. Let's hope for the best."
"Rains change the game, but we will try to cope with it."