Ashalata -- who has earned over 100 international caps and captained the national side on multiple occasions -- said the (senior) team has made steady progress but is still short of world-class standards.
Captain Ashalata Devi will become the first Indian woman footballer to play 100 international matches when she takes the field in the SAFF Championship opening match against Pakistan in Kathmandu on Thursday.
India face Vietnam in their opening match of the AFC Women's Asian Cup, with concerns over India's lack of international game time.
India crashed out of the SAFF Women's Championship as they lost to Nepal 2-4 in penalty shootout in the semifinal match marred by utter confusion after the home side held up play for more than one hour in protest against a decision of the referee, in Kathmandu on Sunday.
Former captain and star striker Bala Devi returned to the Indian women's football team after a hiatus of four years as the 22-member national squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2023 was announced in New Delhi on Friday.
He said the club will request the AFC to compensate for the money spent on players' travel and accommodation, which will run into lakhs of rupees.
Qatar's Akram Afif has been named Asian Player of the Year at the Asian Football Confederation's annual awards in Hong Kong on Monday, with Saki Kumagai from Japan claiming the women's prize.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Wednesday
The swimmers led India's charge on Saturday by winning 7 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze as they completely dominated the pool yet again.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Saturday
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