SAFF C’ship: Selfless Sangita carries India's hopes into final

Panaji: In the last five matches, India coach Crispin Chettri has used four different captains. If Pyari Xaxa and Shilky Devi Hemam led the teams during the two-match FIFA Series in Kenya, Grace Dangmei and Panthoi Chanu have been handed the armbands in Goa.In the SAFF Women’s Championship final on Saturday, the honour of leading India has been handed to Sangita Basfore.There’s no pattern to Crispin’s choices. These are players who have spent considerable time with the national team. It’s time for them to not just look at individual performances but also lead, in the true sense of the word.“We need (a group of) leaders,” Crispin told TOI while waiting for his captain, Sangita, to complete media requirements of photos with the trophy.Sangita as captain for the final isn’t surprising.When India won the qualifiers to book a spot at the AFC Asian Cup after more than two decades, the experienced midfielder was at the heart of that historic moment. She scored two decisive goals against Thailand, but rather than bask in the limelight, she framed it as a collective achievement.It is this quality that has made her popular with the coach and teammates.“I like to guide the younger players, on and off the field,” said Sangita. “I get along well with them. We have a good crop of players rising up the ranks. We play as a team and now as captain for the final, my job is to ensure we play, win as a team, and become champions.”