India's Soumya Guguloth to miss AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers against Iraq, Thailand due to surgery
'Soumya Guguloth sustained a nasal bone fracture during the second half of yesterday's match against Timor-Leste. She was taken to the hospital immediately and successfully underwent surgery last night. She has since been discharged and is now back at the team hotel,' the team's camp announced.
The 23-year-old is expected to be sidelined for at least a month as she recovers from the injury.
In India's first qualifier of this campaign, a 13-0 win against Mongolia, Soumya bagged a brace and was a constant threat darting down the left flank.
India currently sits atop Group B — ahead of Thailand on goal difference — as it prepares to face Iraq on Wednesday in its penultimate qualifier.
In its previous match, the Crispin Chettri-coached side defeated Timor-Leste 4-0. Only the group winner will advance to the tournament, which is set to be held in Australia next year.
The Blue Tigresses last qualified for the continental tournament in 2003, although they featured in the 2022 Asian Cup by virtue of being the host nation.
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United News of India
5 hours ago
- United News of India
India secure AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification for first time
Chiang Mai (Thailand), July 5 (UNI) When the final whistle blew at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium tonight, Sangita Basfore broke down in tears. India had just earned a gritty 2-1 victory against hosts Thailand, sealing their qualification for AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. India had just created history. For the first time ever, the Blue Tigresses had had a successful qualification campaign for the AFC Women's Asian Cup. India's last appearance at the continental showpiece came in 2003, at a time when there were no qualifiers. They participated again in 2022 as hosts but were forced to withdraw due to a COVID outbreak. This time, there were no exemptions—only merit. And fittingly, it was Sangita, the tireless midfield engine, who delivered on the night. Her brace – one in each half (28th and 74th minutes) – powered India past a strong Thailand side in what was a high-stakes, winner-takes-all Group B showdown. Thailand's Chatchawan Rodthong (47th minute) had briefly reignited the home side's hopes with a second-half equaliser, but Basfore's decisive second goal shattered their dreams and carved India's path to the Asian Cup. Buoyed by the vocal support of thousands in the stands, Thailand took control early. They played with energy and flair, dominating possession and pinning India back. In the 15th minute, Pattaranan Aupachai broke down the right and cut back for Jiraporn Mongkoldee, whose shot was expertly saved by Indian goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu. Mongkoldee had another go just two minutes later, this time from distance, but her strike cannoned off the woodwork. India were on the ropes but not broken. They showed remarkable character and discipline, weathering the storm and slowly finding their rhythm, before they struck against the play. In the 28th minute, Anju Tamang initiated a swift move down the right before teeing up Basfore near the edge of the box. With time and space, the midfielder unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that screamed into the net, sending the Indian dugout into raptures. Just three minutes later, India nearly doubled their lead. A well-constructed move down both flanks culminated in a cross into the box, which fell kindly for Pyari Xaxa after a defensive mishap. But the forward's effort was smothered by Thailand goalkeeper Tiffany Sornpao. Stung by the reverse, Thailand responded before the break. Mongkoldee attempted a clever lob from distance, spotting Panthoi off her line, but the keeper recovered just in time to claim the ball. The second half couldn't have started worse for India. Just two minutes after the restart, Thai fullback Chatchawan Rodthong surged down the left and whipped in a teasing cross. It was meant for striker Saowalak Pengngam, who missed her connection, but the ball's curl wrong-footed Panthoi and nestled into the far corner for a fortunate equaliser as India conceded their first goal of the qualifiers. With the momentum shifting, Thailand pressed on. In the 56th minute, Ploychompoo Somnuek floated a pinpoint ball into the box for substitute Karnjanathat Phomsri, whose ferocious effort smashed the woodwork — Thailand's second of the night. Luck, however, was not on their side. India regrouped and stayed calm. And when the chance came, they seized it. In the 74th minute, Nirmala Devi swung in a dangerous corner from the left. The ball eluded the Thai defenders and reached Shilky Devi Hemam at the far post, who squared it brilliantly for an unmarked Basfore. With nerves of steel, she nodded the ball past Sornpao from close range to restore India's lead. Thailand tried desperately to respond, but India dug deep, defended as a unit, and held their shape. The crowd grew restless, the clock ticked down, and the belief in the Indian camp swelled. When the whistle blew, history was made. The Blue Tigresses — once underdogs, now the protagonists of the group — had qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 on merit. The win also ended Thailand's long-standing Asian Cup qualification streak and gave India their first win against them. The significance wasn't lost on anyone. For the players and coaches, it was a dream years in the making. And now, with their eyes on the road to Australia, a bigger dream awaits — a maiden FIFA Women's World Cup qualification in 2027. For now, though, the night belongs to Sangita Basfore and a fearless team that believed — and made the nation believe with them. India: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (GK), Ngangbam Sweety Devi (C), Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, Hemam Shilky Devi, Sangita Basfore, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Sanju, Anju Tamang (Malavika P 90+2'), Pyari Xaxa (Lynda Kom Serto 81'), Manisha Kalyan, Rimpa Haldar (Dangmei Grace 55'). UNI BM
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
India qualifies for AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 after beating higher-ranked Thailand
The Indian national team qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 after beating Thailand 2-1 in a deciding qualifier on Saturday. For the first time ever, the Blue Tigresses had had a successful qualification campaign for the AFC Women's Asian Cup. India's last appearance at the continental showpiece came in 2003, at a time when there were no qualifiers. They participated again in 2022 as hosts but were forced to withdraw due to a COVID outbreak. It was Sangita Basfore, the tireless midfield engine, who delivered on the night. Her brace – one in each half (28th and 74th minutes) – powered India past a strong Thailand side in what was a high-stakes, winner-takes-all Group B showdown. Thailand's Chatchawan Rodthong (47th minute) had briefly reignited the home side's hopes with a second-half equaliser, but Basfore's decisive second goal shattered its dreams and carved India's path to the Asian Cup. AS IT HAPPENED | Thailand vs India Highlights 'I want to congratulate my team first. It's because of them that I have been able to score these two goals. A huge thanks to the coaching staff as well,' Sangita said after the match. 'Our target is the World Cup. We'll look at that going ahead,' she added. 'I also want to thank the fans and our families for supporting us.' Buoyed by the vocal support of thousands in the stands, Thailand took control early. India was on the ropes but not broken. In the 28th minute, Anju Tamang initiated a swift move down the right before teeing up Basfore near the edge of the box. With time and space, the midfielder unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that screamed into the net, sending the Indian dugout into raptures. The second half couldn't have started worse for India. Just two minutes after the restart, Thai fullback Chatchawan Rodthong surged down the left and whipped in a teasing cross. It was meant for striker Saowalak Pengngam, who missed her connection, but the ball's curl wrong-footed Panthoi and nestled into the far corner for a fortunate equaliser as India conceded their first goal of the qualifiers. Despite multiple attempts to equalise, Thailand couldn't find the back of the net for the second time in the match. The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 will also serve as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027.
NDTV
8 hours ago
- NDTV
1st Time Since 2003: India Seal Direct Qualification To AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026
India secured a memorable qualification in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Finals with a thrilling 2-1 victory over hosts Thailand at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, here on Friday. The win helped India top Group B of the Qualifiers with a perfect record -- four wins from four matches. For the first time the Blue Tigresses have booked a ticket to the continental championship through the qualification route. Australia will host the tournament in 2026. It will be India's first appearance at the Asian Cup since 2022, when they participated as hosts but were forced to withdraw due to a COVID outbreak in the squad. The last time India qualified outright was back in 2003, when the qualifiers did not exist in the current format. Mid-fielder Sangita Basfore was the star for India, scoring a brace to script the memorable win. She struck first in the 28th minute to put the Crispin Chettri-coached side ahead. Thailand, who came into the match as favourites and 24 places above India in the FIFA rankings, equalised through Chatchawan Rodthong just after the break in the 47th minute. However, Basfore found the net again in the 74th minute to restore India's lead. The visitors then held their nerve with resolute defending to deny Thailand any further chance to draw level. The win capped India's dominant run through the group stage. They opened their campaign with a record 13-0 demolition of Mongolia, followed it up with a 4-0 win over Timor Leste, and a 5-0 victory against Iraq. Thailand, coached by Japanese tactician Futoshi Ikeda, had also been flawless, beating the same opponents 11-0, 4-0 and 7-0, respectively, to set up a virtual knockout clash for the lone automatic qualification spot. Heading into the final game, both sides were locked with identical goal differences of 22, making the encounter a must-win for both. India had never previously beaten Thailand in women's football, including a narrow 0-1 loss in the Asian Games in China last year. But this time, Sangita and her teammates ensured history was rewritten. The qualification gives the Blue Tigresses a chance to go to new heights and with a potential maiden FIFA Women's World Cup berth in 2027, with the road to Brazil passing through Australia next year.
