Sabitra shines as Nepal thrashes Laos to open AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with win

Sabitra Bhandari led from the front as Nepal began its AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a thumping 9-0 win against Laos on Sunday in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
While Sabitra - who plays her club football in France for En Avant Guingamp - bagged four goals, Anita Basnet, Saru Limbu, and Rashmi Kumari, and Anita also found the back of the net.
Towards the end of the game, a Laos player scored an own goal, not helping the team's situation in this drubbing handed by the Nepalese players.
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Coach Crispin Looks To Light The 'Fire' As AFC Women's Asian Cup Race Heats Up

News18

12 hours ago

News18

Coach Crispin Looks To Light The 'Fire' As AFC Women's Asian Cup Race Heats Up

Last Updated: India and Thailand lead Group B in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers with six points each but ahead on goal difference. India face Iraq next, while Thailand play Mongolia. AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers Group B has essentially become a two-horse race after Matchday 2. India and Thailand are both tied with six points, with the Blue Tigresses leading the table on goal difference. Only the group winners will advance to Australia. The teams India has defeated so far – Timor-Leste (4-0) and Mongolia (13-0) – have been eliminated. Iraq, which lost 0-7 to Thailand, is on the verge of elimination. They must defeat India on July 2 to stay in contention. If Iraq fails, the match between India and Thailand on July 5 will serve as a direct play-off for qualification. Until then, accumulating as many points and goals as possible is crucial. Currently, India boasts a +17 goal difference, while Thailand stands at +11. On Wednesday, India will face Iraq in the afternoon, followed by Thailand's game against Mongolia in the evening. After the win over Timor-Leste on Sunday, India coach Crispin Chettri expressed satisfaction with the three points but noted concerns about the team's slow start in the first half. 'Victory is always sweet, but I know we could have done better in the first half. We need to be more focused from the very start of the game, and not just play well in the second half. Overall, though, I'm happy with the result," he said. Of India's 17 goals so far, 12 have been scored in the second half. Despite early goals in their matches (8th minute against Mongolia and 12th minute against Timor-Leste), the team has struggled to find its rhythm in the first 45 minutes. 'The sooner you score, the sooner you settle down. I think we're taking too long to settle. If you look at our first halves, we're not just missing chances, we're somewhat slower in our reactions and follow-ups. So, that's definitely something we need to work on," said Chettri. How Can India Win The Group? On a positive note, the substitutes have been effective. Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P., and Priyadharshini Selladurai have all scored after coming off the bench. Chettri highlighted the fourth goal against Timor-Leste, crafted by substitutes Lynda and Grace Dangmei. Grace created the opportunity with a run past her marker, setting up Lynda for an easy finish. This marked Lynda's first official goal for India. 'We're always trying different combinations. Last time, we tried Grace and Pyari. This time, we went with Anju and Pyari at the start, and then again with Lynda and Grace in the second half. We need to be prepared for every situation. I think the substitutes did pretty well. Anju was coming back from injury, and she managed to play 80 minutes, so that's a good sign," said Chettri. Manisha Kalyan also played her first match of the Qualifiers, scoring two goals. This was her first start for India since February, following a break after the season with Greek club PAOK. 'Manisha scored two beautiful goals," said Chettri. 'But I still think she can do better. She's coming back after a break. She had a long season in Europe. In Greece, she plays in a different role — as a full-back — and here she plays on the wing. She's still adjusting. But overall, I think she did quite well today." After scoring her 12th and 13th goals for the national team, Manisha stated that scoring for the team boosts confidence for the remaining games. She affirmed their commitment to qualifying for the Asian Cup. Despite India's successful run, the day was marred by an injury to Soumya Guguloth, the current AIFF Women's Player of the Year. She sustained a nasal bone fracture after a collision with Timor-Leste's Idalia Alves Belo and underwent successful surgery. 'Soumya is definitely a big loss. It's an unfortunate blow for everyone here. I wish she could be back as soon as possible. For now, I feel we do have enough bench strength to cope with her absence," said Chettri.

India ease past Timor-Leste in AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers

India Gazette

a day ago

India Gazette

India ease past Timor-Leste in AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers

Chiang Mai [Thailand], June 29 (ANI): The Indian senior women's team continued their emphatic run in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers with a commanding 4-0 victory against Timor-Leste at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium on Sunday. The Blue Tigresses led 1-0 at half-time. Winger Manisha Kalyan (12', 80') scored a brilliant brace, while Anju Tamang (58') and Lynda Kom Serto (86') added their names to the scoresheet in a one-sided contest that saw India dominate from start to finish, as per a press release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). With the win, India now sit atop Group B with six points from two games, ahead of Iraq and Thailand, who are set to face each other later in the day. The top spot in the five-team group remains up for grabs, but India have certainly staked a strong claim with back-to-back dominant displays. Fresh from their AFC record-breaking 13-0 triumph over Mongolia in their opening fixture, India entered the match brimming with confidence. Right from kick-off, India picked up where they left off against Mongolia, applying pressure high up the pitch and creating opportunities with slick passing and energetic wing play. The first chance came as early as the sixth minute when Tamang latched onto a through ball, but Timor-Leste goalkeeper Gorette Da Costa did well to deny her at the near post. However, the breakthrough came soon after in the 12th minute. A neat one-two between Manisha and Tamang unlocked the left side of Timor-Leste's defence. Tamang released Manisha with a perfectly weighted pass, and the forward showed blistering pace to beat her marker before cutting inside and rifling a powerful left-footed strike into the back of the net. The early goal gave India a firm grip on the contest. The Blue Tigresses dictated the tempo with ease, dominating possession and probing constantly for openings. Pyari Xaxa nearly made it 2-0 in the 17th minute, but her curling shot rattled the woodwork. Moments later, Soumya Guguloth tested Da Costa again, who stood firm despite the relentless Indian pressure. Timor-Leste offered very little going forward and opted to sit deep in an attempt to absorb India's attacking threat. Their conservative approach did little to disrupt India's rhythm, and the first half ended with India in complete control, albeit with only one goal to show for it. India resumed the second half with renewed intent. The reward for their persistence came in the 58th minute when Sanju's teasing cross from the left caused chaos in the Timor-Leste box. Goalkeeper Da Costa misjudged the flight, and Tamang capitalised, tapping in from close range to double India's lead. Manisha then produced a moment of sheer class in the 80th minute. Tamang, who had been involved in much of India's attacking play, slipped a clever pass to the edge of the box. Manisha took one touch before blasting a thunderous shot past Da Costa to make it 3-0 and all but seal the points. India's fourth goal was a textbook example of fluid team play. In the 86th minute, substitutes Lynda Kom and Grace Dangmei combined beautifully in midfield to split the Timor-Leste defence. Grace drove into the box, drew defenders towards her, and unselfishly squared the ball to Lynda, who calmly slotted home with time and space to spare. The final whistle brought scenes of delight to the Indian bench, as the team registered another clean sheet and extended their goal tally to 17 in just two matches. (ANI)

The Hindu

a day ago

The Hindu