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India Gazette
6 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Target isn't just Asian Cup, but also World Cup: Midfielder Sangita Basfore
Chiang Mai [Thailand], June 27 (ANI): For the Blue Tigresses, the AFC Women's Asian Cup isn't only about competing against the continent's elite, but also a pathway to the FIFA Women's World Cup, according to the official website of the AIFF. 'Our target is the World Cup,' echoed midfielder Sangita Basfore, as quoted from the official website of AIFF. 'The AFC qualifiers feel like World Cup qualifiers. We all want to qualify for Brazil,' she added. For the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027, the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 serves as the qualifier, with the top six teams from the tournament securing their berths in the 32-team World Cup. The first hurdle is these AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers in Chiang Mai, where India made the perfect start with a 13-0 demolition of Mongolia on Monday. The opening goal took less than eight minutes as Sangita's head guided an inch-perfect Soumya Guguloth cross into the open net. 'Right from warm-up, I had this feeling that I'd score the opening goal, and I did. That was a great feeling. I made a good run, and the cross from Soumya was perfect. When I scored, I thanked her right away,' said Sangita. Given the quality gap between India and Mongolia, perhaps the deluge of goals was expected from the start. Coach Crispin Chettri's message to the girls was clear -- celebrate every single goal together. 'Every time someone scores, we all go to them. That creates team bonding. If we keep doing this from the beginning, the upcoming matches will get easier as we play more like a team,' said Sangita. Since her debut against Sri Lanka in the Olympic qualifiers in 2015, the 28-year-old Sangita has racked up 66 caps for the Indian women's national team. Only Grace Dangmei, at 86, has more matches in the current squad. From breaking through as a teenager to now being one of the most senior players in the team, Sangita recapped her journey with the Blue Tigresses. 'When I see the juniors in our team now, I remember my early days. Back then, I learned a lot from my seniors. (Oinam) Bembem Di was my idol, and still is. There was also (Ngangom) Bala di, (Irom) Prameshwori di, (Sasmita) Malik di, and of course, (Loitongbam) Ashalata di. There were so many senior players when we came in, and over time, they started retiring. We juniors were raw when we came and learnt things in the national team,' she noted. 'But now, these younger players come in already well-prepared. Now, because of tournaments like the IWL and junior national teams, these kids already know how to maintain their lifestyle and progress. So, we don't need to teach them much. They're already doing well. But in the team, there's no senior-junior gap. We're all one unit,' shared Sangita. After a decade of national service, Sangita admitted she doesn't have many years left in India's blue. She might have two SAFF Women's Championship trophies and South Asian Games gold medals each, but what she yearns for is playing a major tournament for India. When India hosted the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2022, Sangita was one of the big misses in the Blue Tigresses' squad as she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a friendly match against Hammarby IF in Sweden just three months before the tournament. 'When I look at my own journey, it's been a long one. I just want to have one proud moment before I retire, like playing in the World Cup. I want to say I did something big in my career. So yes, that's the aim. First qualify for the Asian Cup, play that, and then qualify for the World Cup,' she said. 'Missing the Asian Cup in 2022 was a big regret. Even my teammates didn't get to play because of COVID. We had worked so hard during the pandemic to qualify for the 2023 World Cup, but it wasn't to be. That regret still lingers. Even now, I get flashbacks. We desperately want to qualify for the Asian Cup,' she noted. 'This feels like a second chance now,' she said. India will face Timor-Leste on June 29, Iraq on July 2, and host Thailand on July 5. (ANI)
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
How many times has India qualified for AFC Women's Asian cup?
The Indian senior women's team will begin its AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualification campaign on Monday, June 23, in Thailand. India will face Mongolia, Timor Leste, Iraq and host Thailand. Only the group winner will qualify for the final tournament in Australia set to be held in March 2026. The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 will also serve as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. How many times has India qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup? India has qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup eight times. In 2022, it qualified by virtue of being the host. The last time the Blue Tigresses had qualified for the continental event was back in 2003. Here's a look at India's performance at each edition of the competition since its inception: 1975 - Did not play qualifiers 1977 - Did not play qualifiers 1980 - Runner-up 1981 - Third place 1983 - Runner-up 1986 - Did not play qualifiers 1989 - Did not play qualifiers 1991 - Did not play qualifiers 1993 - Did not play qualifiers 1995 - Group Stage 1997 - Group Stage 1999 - Group Stage 2001 - Group Stage 2003 - Group Stage 2006 - Did not qualify 2008 - Did not qualify 2010 - Did not play qualifiers 2014 - Did not qualify 2018 - Did not qualify 2022 - Host (withdrew after one match due to Covid-19 outbreak inside team)
Hans India
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Crispin Chettri says his squad is 'shaping up well' for AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers
The Indian senior women's team will kick off their AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers campaign on Monday and will look to create new history in the 21st century after having three podium finishes in the erstwhile Asian Women's Championship (runners-up in 1980 and 1983, and third place in 1981). India (ranked 70th) will face Mongolia (ranked 126th) on June 23, Timor Leste (ranked 158th) on June 29, Iraq (ranked 173rd) on July 2 and hosts Thailand (ranked 46th) on July 5, at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. Only the group winners will qualify for the final tournament in Australia in March 2026. The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 will also serve as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. Apart from Thailand, India have never faced the other three Group B opponents before. "We don't have much information about Mongolia, Timor Leste and Iraq. They haven't played any matches recently. We do know a bit about Thailand. They played two games against Nepal in the last window, and one of them was closed doors," said Chettri. "I tried different variations in our friendlies (against Uzbekistan). I tested many combinations in midfield, involving Sangita (Basfore), Karthika (Angamuthu), Ratanbala (Nongmaithem), Grace (Dangmei) and Anju (Tamang)." While India lost both friendlies 0-1 against Uzbekistan on May 30 and June 3, it was significant preparation for the all-important qualifiers. Indian women, who had trained in Bengaluru since the start of May, travelled to Chiang Mai a week before the first game against Mongolia, and have had four full training sessions so far, including an intra-squad match. "I think coming to Chiang Mai earlier has helped us a lot to acclimatise to the weather conditions and adjust to the time difference. The weather here is a bit more humid than in Bengaluru. The training ground is great and we're shaping up well for the forthcoming matches. We also played a full 90-minute match amongst ourselves on Thursday," said Chettri. With an average age of just 23.6 years, Chettri has named a fairly young squad consisting of a lot of newcomers. But that's not to say there's a dearth of experience. For Malavika, there's a Dangmei Grace, for Priyadharshini, there's an Anju Tamang, for Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, there's a Ngangbam Sweety Devi. "We have a very good mix of youth and experience. We had 18-year-old goalkeeper Monalisha (Moirangthem) debut against Uzbekistan. I'm not scared to play with youngsters because this is how they are going to gain experience. And playing such important AFC matches will help us grow," said Chettri. 'Staying and working together for more than 45 days has done a great deal of good for their chemistry, and now what matters is executing it on the pitch. The focus on the training pitch has shifted more to tactical details. "We're done working on the physical aspects now. We're focusing on patterns and set pieces every day, whether it's defending or attacking. We'll also know more about the opponents as the qualifiers progress," Chettri added. AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Group B Schedule: June 23: Mongolia vs India (14:30 IST) June 29: India vs Timor Leste (14:30 IST) July 2: India vs Iraq (14:30 IST) July 5: Thailand vs India (18:00 IST) India's 23-member final squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers- Goalkeepers: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, Payal Basude. Defenders: Hemam Shilky Devi, Kiran Pisda, Martina Thokchom, Ngangbam Sweety Devi, Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, Purnima Kumari, Sanju, Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu. Midfielders: Anju Tamang, Grace Dangmei, Karthika Angamuthu, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Sangita Basfore. Forwards: Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth.
India Gazette
16-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Crispin Chettri announces 24-member travelling squad to Thailand
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): The Indian senior women's team head coach, Crispin Chettri, on Monday announced a 24-member travelling squad to Thailand for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers. The final squad of 23 players for the Qualifiers will be confirmed before the first match. The Blue Tigresses are placed in Group B of the Qualifiers, where they will face Mongolia (June 23), Timor Leste (June 29), Iraq (July 2) and hosts Thailand (July 5). The matches will be streamed live on the Thai Women's Football Facebook Page and Changsuek YouTube Channel. The group winners will qualify for the final tournament in Australia in March 2026. The Women's Asian Cup also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. Chettri and his squad will arrive in Thailand on Monday evening, and will train for a week in the northern city of Chiang Mai before their first game. All matches will take place at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. The Blue Tigresses camped at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru for six weeks, and as part of their preparations for the Qualifiers, played two friendlies against Uzbekistan on May 30 and June 3, losing 0-1 on both occasions. 'I was happy with the preparations in Bengaluru,' said Chettri. 'We trained for more than 40 days. The training ground and all the facilities were excellent. As far as the squad is concerned, we have a good mixture of young and senior players. Unfortunately, we had to let go of forwards like Karishma (Shirvoikar), Sandhiya (Ranganathan) and Renu due to injuries. But that's part and parcel of football. And as compared to the Pink Ladies Cup squad (in February), we have more experienced players with us now.' The Indian coach tried various combinations during the two preparatory friendlies against Uzbekistan, rotating as many as eight players for the second game and handing out a total of five debuts. 'We had a clear plan for those two friendlies. We were trying to find the right combination for the qualifiers because we have to play almost four games in 13 days. Rotating players and giving them proper recovery time is important. We created many more chances in the second game as compared to the first, but the conversion was the problem, and that's what we'll work on in the coming days,' said Chettri. To adjust to the more humid weather of Chiang Mai, the Blue Tigresses will arrive in the city a week before the first match against Mongolia. They will also have a five-day gap before taking on Timor Leste in the second game. 'I'm pleased with the federation for sending us early to Thailand. There is ample time for acclimatisation and recovery. In Bengaluru, the weather has been very pleasant. But Chiang Mai is quite hot and humid at this time of the year. So, this week will help us a lot in our preparation,' Chettri added. India's 24-member travelling squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Goalkeepers: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, Payal Hemam Shilky Devi, Kiran Pisda, Martina Thokchom, Ngangbam Sweety Devi, Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, Purnima Kumari, Sanju, Sorokhaibam Ranjana Anju Tamang, Grace Dangmei, Karthika Angamuthu, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Sangita Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Manisha Naik, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth. Head Coach: Crispin ChettriAssistant Coach: Priya PVAssistant Coach: Nivetha RamadossGoalkeeper Coach: Mario Luis AguiarStrength and Conditioning Coach: Chelston Pinto AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Group B Schedule: June 23: Mongolia vs India (14:30 IST)June 29: India vs Timor Leste (14:30 IST)July 2: India vs Iraq (14:30 IST)July 5: Thailand vs India (18:00 IST) Venue: 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, ThailandLive stream: Thai Women's Football Facebook Page and Changsuek YouTube Channel.(ANI)
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026: Crispin Chettri announces 24-member squad, Indian team departs for Thailand
Crispin Chettri, the Indian senior women's team head coach, announced a 24-member squad traveling to Thailand for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers, with the final 23-player roster to be confirmed before their first match on June 23. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Blue Tigresses, placed in Group B, will compete against Mongolia, Timor Leste, Iraq, and hosts Thailand at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. The team will arrive in Thailand on Monday evening and train for a week in Chiang Mai before their opening game. The winner of Group B will secure a spot in the final tournament in Australia in March 2026, which also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. The squad completed a six-week camp at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru, where they played two friendly matches against Uzbekistan on May 30 and June 3, losing both games 0-1. "I was happy with the preparations in Bengaluru. We trained for more than 40 days. The training ground and all the facilities were excellent. As far as the squad is concerned, we have a good mixture of young and senior players. Unfortunately, we had to let go of forwards like Karishma, Sandhiya and Renu due to injuries. But that's part and parcel of football. And as compared to the Pink Ladies Cup squad, we have more experienced players with us now," said Chettri. Poll Do you think the Indian women's team will win Group B in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers? Yes, they will win No, they will fall short During the two preparatory friendlies against Uzbekistan, the Indian coach experimented with various combinations, rotating eight players for the second game and giving five players their debuts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We had a clear plan for those two friendlies. We were trying to find the right combination for the qualifiers because we have to play almost four games in 13 days. Rotating players and giving them proper recovery time is important. We created many more chances in the second game as compared to the first, but the conversion was the problem, and that's what we'll work on in the coming days," Chettri explained. The team will arrive in Chiang Mai a week before their first match against Mongolia to adapt to the humid weather conditions. They will have a five-day gap before their second game against Timor Leste. Yashasvi Jaiswal's Coach on England Prep, Opening Partner, & Playing Under Gill "I'm pleased with the federation for sending us early to Thailand. There is ample time for acclimatisation and recovery. In Bengaluru, the weather has been very pleasant. But Chiang Mai is quite hot and humid at this time of the year. So, this week will help us a lot in our preparation," added Chettri. Squad for AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Goalkeepers: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, and Payal Basude. Defenders: Hemam Shilky Devi, Kiran Pisda, Martina Thokchom, Ngangbam Sweety Devi, Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, Purnima Kumari, Sanju, Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu. Midfielders: Anju Tamang, Grace Dangmei, Karthika Angamuthu, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Sangita Basfore. Forwards: Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Manisha Naik, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth. Coaching Staff Head Coach : Crispin Chettri : Crispin Chettri Assistant Coach : Priya PV : Priya PV Assistant Coach : Nivetha Ramadoss : Nivetha Ramadoss Goalkeeper Coach : Mario Luis Aguiar : Mario Luis Aguiar Strength and Conditioning Coach: Chelston Pinto India's campaign in Group B begins against Mongolia on June 23, followed by matches against Timor Leste on June 29, Iraq on July 2, and hosts Thailand on July 5.
