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We have to choose our friendly matches wisely: India head coach Crispin Chettri after AFC Women's Asian Cup Draw
We have to choose our friendly matches wisely: India head coach Crispin Chettri after AFC Women's Asian Cup Draw

The Hindu

time12 hours ago

  • Sport
  • The Hindu

We have to choose our friendly matches wisely: India head coach Crispin Chettri after AFC Women's Asian Cup Draw

India senior women's team coach Crispin Chettri labelled the Blue Tigresses' group in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 an 'interesting and tricky' one. India was placed in Group C with Japan, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei in the draw ceremony at the Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday. 'I think we have a very interesting, and at the same time, a tricky group. Japan are the cream of Asia. Vietnam and Chinese Taipei are good sides, and we can compete with them and aim for favourable results,' Chettri told from Australia after the draw. Midfielder Sangita Basfore had the privilege of being one of the draw assistants. 'The whole experience at the draw here in Sydney was really special for me. I got to see and even touch the trophy, which felt amazing. I got goosebumps at the stage. The biggest highlight was visiting Stadium Australia in Sydney. The moment I stepped onto that ground, it felt like the match was about to begin,' she said. ALSO READ | India's opponents in AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 'We've already played against Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, and Japan in the past, so I know from experience that we can definitely compete with them. At no point did I feel that we couldn't beat them. We couldn't win earlier due to some mistakes, but we'll work on those. Our coach is with us, guiding us on the small details, what to do, and what to avoid. Based on that, we'll plan our next steps and give our best,' Sangita added. While the Asian stage is a grand one, the Blue Tigresses have firmly set their eyes on scaling an even higher peak — FIFA Women's World Cup qualification. And with the AFC Women's Asian Cup offering six direct and two indirect slots for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, this is an opportunity they want to grasp with both hands. With 218 days to go for India's opening match against Vietnam at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, the groundwork has already begun, and each day is going to count. ALSO READ | India's schedule for AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 'Now that we know our opponents, we have to choose our friendly matches wisely and prepare well. Staying together as a unit and working hard in the camps will go a long way in helping us prepare to face the best teams in Asia and target World Cup qualification,' said Crispin. Sangita added, 'With the time we have now, we should be playing matches against higher-ranked teams, so we can be ready for next March. When we face those three teams in the Asian Cup, it will be easier for us to judge their game and play with confidence. Exposure to stronger teams will be a great opportunity and will help us build belief going into the tournament.'

Crispin Chettri Calls India's AFC Women's Asian Cup Draw 'Interesting & Tricky'
Crispin Chettri Calls India's AFC Women's Asian Cup Draw 'Interesting & Tricky'

News18

time14 hours ago

  • Sport
  • News18

Crispin Chettri Calls India's AFC Women's Asian Cup Draw 'Interesting & Tricky'

Last Updated: India women's football coach Crispin Chettri called their AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 group 'interesting and tricky'. News18 India women's football team coach Crispin Chettri labelled the Blue Tigresses' group in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 an 'interesting and tricky' one. India were placed in Group C with Japan, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei in the draw ceremony at the Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday. 'I think we have a very interesting, and at the same time, a tricky group. Japan are the cream of Asia. Vietnam and Chinese Taipei are good sides, and we can compete with them and aim for favourable results," Chettri was quoted as saying to AIFF from Australia after the draw. Midfielder Sangita Basfore had the privilege of being one of the draw assistants and picked out the ball containing her nation. After delicately unrolling the paper and displaying it to the camera, she proudly 'India!' in an assertive voice as her eyes beamed with pride. After all, this was the first time India had earned their place at the Women's Asian Cup on merit via the qualifiers pathway. And no other woman deserved to be at that stage than Sangita, whose sensational brace in the last match against Thailand punched India's ticket to Australia. 'The whole experience at the draw here in Sydney was really special for me. I got to see and even touch the trophy, which felt amazing. I got goosebumps at the stage. The biggest highlight was visiting Stadium Australia in Sydney. The moment I stepped onto that ground, it felt like the match was about to begin," said Sangita. What Is India's Fixtures At 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup? India, currently ranked 70th, will begin their campaign against Vietnam (ranked 37th) on March 4, 2026, in Perth, before meeting Japan (ranked 7th) on March 7, also in Perth, and Chinese Taipei (ranked 42nd) on March 10 in Sydney. The three opponents are no strangers to the Blue Tigresses, who have played against each of them in recent years. India suffered a narrow loss to Chinese Taipei in the Asian Games, but also defeated them in a friendly in 2021. Vietnam and Japan defeated the Blue Tigresses in the Olympic Qualifiers in 2023. Despite the opponents being higher-ranked, Chettri and Sangita are confident of a tight battle to qualify for the quarter-finals, especially against Vietnam and Chinese Taipei, who have had many closely-contested games with India in the past. 'We've already played against Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, and Japan in the past, so I know from experience that we can definitely compete with them. At no point did I feel that we couldn't beat them. We couldn't win earlier due to some mistakes, but we'll work on those. Our coach is with us, guiding us on the small details, what to do, and what to avoid. Based on that, we'll plan our next steps and give our best," said Sangita. Chettri said, 'They are all tough teams, and that's what you expect at a stage like the Asian Cup. As the Odisha FC coach, I faced clubs from these three countries in the AFC Women's Champions League last season, and that was a massive learning experience for me. I am quite familiar with how they play and what to expect from them." While the Asian stage is a grand one, the Blue Tigresses have firmly set their eyes on scaling an even higher peak — FIFA Women's World Cup qualification. And with the AFC Women's Asian Cup offering six direct and two indirect slots for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, this is an opportunity they want to grasp with both hands. 'Our target has always been to reach Brazil and play in the World Cup, to feel the World Cup experience. Now, we are just one step away. We have to prove ourselves in Australia, represent the national team, and carry our flag forward. The goal is to perform well game by game and qualify for the World Cup," said Sangita. With 218 days to go for India's opening match against Vietnam at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, the groundwork has already begun, and each day is going to count. 'Now that we know our opponents, we have to choose our friendly matches wisely and prepare well. Staying together as a unit and working hard in the camps will go a long way in helping us prepare to face the best teams in Asia and target World Cup qualification," said Crispin. Sangita added, 'With the time we have now, we should be playing matches against higher-ranked teams, so we can be ready for next March. When we face those three teams in the Asian Cup, it will be easier for us to judge their game and play with confidence. Exposure to stronger teams will be a great opportunity and will help us build belief going into the tournament." tags : AFC Women's Asian Cup India women's football team view comments Location : Sydney, Australia First Published: July 29, 2025, 20:25 IST News sports » football Crispin Chettri Calls India's AFC Women's Asian Cup Draw 'Interesting & Tricky' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Janpath: A people's path now forgotten
Janpath: A people's path now forgotten

Time of India

time19-07-2025

  • Business
  • Time of India

Janpath: A people's path now forgotten

If somebody writes an epitaph to Sangita, it should be headlined 'Happy Soul'. Nothing fazes her. No challenge is too big. A fan of James Bond's 'never say die' spirit, just like him she thrives on adrenalin rush as she fields every curveball life throws her way. Sangita is a person with multiple disabilities. A patient of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Sangita is a wheelchair user and hearing aids user. For the past 10 years, she has been whizzing past life in a wheelchair, notching professional milestones. She believes nothing is insurmountable, certainly not limitations imposed by disabilities. Sangita has three decades of experience in the media, content and communications industry across verticals and industries. She has been associated with the development and disability sector and featured in the first Directory of Development Journalists in India published by the PII. She has also functioned as a media representative of the Rehabilitation Council of India and has conducted various S&A programmes for bureaucrats. Sangita is the founder of Ashtavakra Accessibility Solutions Private Limited, a social enterprise dedicated to the inclusion of the disabled. LESS ... MORE The history of Janpath is older than you or me. Older than modern Delhi itself, in some ways. Once the beating heart of Lutyens' Delhi, Janpath was more than a road—it was a rhythm. A pulsating, living artery of craft, culture, and commerce that brought together locals, domestic tourists, international backpackers, and curious drifters, all drawn to its kinetic charm. If Delhi was a body, Janpath was the nerve that lit it up. The name Janpath—literally, The People's Path—wasn't just poetic branding. It was an ethos. In a city known for high walls, power corridors, and social silos, Janpath was democratic. You could be a diplomat's daughter or a first-time traveller with a shoestring budget, and you'd still end up sipping cold coffee from Depaul's and buying a pair of handmade earrings from a Rajasthani vendor who'd swear they were silver. Everyone bargained. Everyone lingered. Everyone returned. Before it became Janpath, the road was part of Queen's Way during the British Raj, constructed as a ceremonial boulevard alongside the grand Central Vista. But while Rajpath (now Kartavya Path) stayed tethered to officialdom, its sister street—Janpath—broke free. It became the people's republic of small pleasures. Each kiosk on Janpath was a time capsule of regional identity. Gujarat sent its mirrorwork. Kashmir sent its pashmina. Nagaland sent beads and cane. Rajasthan sent block prints. West Bengal sent terracotta. Everything that you'd otherwise need to travel the country to collect—Janpath brought it all to one crowded street. It was India's pop-up museum of the handmade, the homespun, the street-smart. My association with Delhi—and with Janpath—is older than I am. My parents lived in Delhi in the '60s, and we returned each year during the school holidays. Some of my earliest memories involve the scent of sandalwood wafting through the stalls, the gleam of copper bells, the feel of cotton kurtis hanging loosely on metal rods, and the sound of languages—so many languages—mingling in the air. Later, as a student at Delhi University, Janpath became a ritual. A midweek escape. A happy place. We'd hop on a bus with 20 rupees in our pockets and the whole day ahead. Wandering. Laughing. Browsing. Then ending the day with a snack from a nondescript joint or a creamy cold coffee from Depaul's, which, like Janpath itself, seemed to never change. Years later, as Managing Editor of India Now, the India Brand Equity Foundation's flagship publication, I had the chance to walk those lanes again—but this time professionally. I was reporting a feature story on legacy markets of Delhi and their role in India's cultural soft power. Naturally, Janpath was on the list. I retraced my steps through the market, unearthing generational tales from each store. It was a walk down memory lane—with a journalist's notepad in hand. Stories of a grandfather or great-grandfather setting up shop when the market came up, of ministers' wives and international dignitaries in search of 'authentic India', and of tourists from across the world came pouring out. It took me several visits to Janpath to piece their stories. I remember scribbling notes furiously while sipping Depaul's iconic coffee and thinking: this place deserves to be on the world map. But something had already started to slip even then. The store owners also spoke of declining footsteps and revenue. Then came the silence. Not the silence of nostalgia, but of absence. My sojourns to Janpath ended abruptly when I became a wheelchair user. A broken footpath, a single step, a crowded walkway—these small obstacles become walls when you move on wheels. Inaccessibility crept in like a slow disease. Not because Janpath had changed all at once, but because the city hadn't cared to change with me. Delhi has always had a complicated relationship with accessibility—beautiful on the surface, brutal beneath it. And yet, my love endured. Like many things in life, it became long-distance. I'd drive by Janpath just to feel close. I'd leave the engine running while my driver dashed into Depaul's for my regular. I'd sit parked illegally, scanning for traffic cops, heart swelling with the familiar noise and scent of that place. A fragment of a former routine—but one that kept the memory alive. Because Janpath was still alive. Until it wasn't. I visited recently. I wheeled in with hope—and yes, I ended up shopping. I found those handcrafted juttis you never find online. I haggled over oxidized jewellery. I tried on funky trendy and dirt cheap shades at the same stall I'd known all my life. It was a hot, muggy day, but the joy was real. And I still ended the visit with a cold coffee, thick with nostalgia and slightly over-sweet. But something had shifted. The iconic bookstore in Janpath's cul-de-sac corner–now a closed chapter. Several stalls—gone. Whole sections—dusty, dirty and dead. Piles of garbage waiting forlornly. Janpath now wears decay like a borrowed coat. The grit that once gave it character now just feels like neglect. What was once a wild, colourful jungle of creativity now feels like a museum no one curates. A place caught between its legacy and its future, waiting for someone to care. A makeover is no longer a matter of taste—it's a matter of survival. Because cities have short memories, and public spaces don't preserve themselves. Once lost, Janpath won't come back in the same form. And if we're not careful, we'll wake up one day to find it replaced by some sanitised arcade that sells nothing handmade, tells no stories, and caters to no one except global brands and real estate profits. And accessibility? Perish the thought. Someone has attempted a tactile path—but it's as if the contractor installed it with their eyes closed. It winds awkwardly through the market—starting nowhere, ending nowhere. It loops awkwardly around obstacles, and ends in a dead end – a closed door literally. A tragicomic token gesture, more insult than inclusion. It's not just about wheelchair access; it's about dignity. About making sure everyone can participate in the city's pleasures. We can wait a little longer for Sugamya Bharat. But can we at least get a Swachh Bharat in the meantime? Clean streets. Working drains. Thoughtful footpaths. Basic respect. Janpath was never about perfection. It was about possibility. About bumping into strangers, discovering something unexpected, and walking away with more than you bargained for. It was—and still can be—a space where culture is lived, not just displayed. Today, it stands on the edge. Beloved Janpath, I rue your ruin. But I haven't given up on you yet. You gave us so much—memories, music, mayhem, and meaning. You were our informal embassy of Indian identity. A market of the people. A street of stories. Thank you—for a happy day. For many happy days. Nostalgia works like dopamine. But preservation works like love. Let's show Janpath some. Before it's too late. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.

Long camps, young blood, and tactical clarity: How India's women qualified for AFC Asian Cup 2026
Long camps, young blood, and tactical clarity: How India's women qualified for AFC Asian Cup 2026

The Hindu

time12-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Hindu

Long camps, young blood, and tactical clarity: How India's women qualified for AFC Asian Cup 2026

After years of dealing with a sense of apathy from stakeholders, cases of alleged harassment, and the Indian Women's League (IWL) being little more than an afterthought, the Indian women's national football team has quietly qualified for next year's AFC Women's Asian Cup. This is the first time that the Blue Tigresses have made it to the continental tournament through the qualification route. In 2003, qualifiers did not exist. In 2022, India made it to the tournament as the host. The Crispin Chettri-coached squad topped Group B after an unbeaten qualifying campaign, which included dominant wins over Mongolia (13-0), Timor Leste (4-0), and Iraq (5-0), before grinding out a decisive 2-1 win against higher-ranked Thailand. Three years in the making Forward Pyari Xaxa, who top-scored for India in the qualifiers with five goals, still remembers the heartbreak she and her teammates suffered at the 2022 edition of the Asian Cup. After a goalless draw against Iran in its opening game, India was forced to withdraw from the tournament after a majority of its players tested positive for COVID-19. 'When I tested positive for COVID, it felt as if the ground beneath me opened up. I cried a lot, but I hid my tears from my teammates so that they wouldn't get disheartened. Unfortunately, most of them tested positive as well. All the hard work had gone to waste,' Pyari recalls to Sportstar. Cut to three years later, the 28-year-old seems to have manifested India's ticket to Australia, the host of the next edition. 'I'd written down my dreams in my diary about five to six years back. It's free to dream. After we qualified this time, I ticked it off the list. Next, the World Cup remains.' After Pyari, Sangita Basfore was India's next highest scorer in the qualifiers, netting four times. But it was her brace in the winner-takes-all match against Thailand that capped off a journey marked by perseverance and patience. 'I still haven't mentally returned from that stadium in Thailand,' she says of the match, at the end of which she broke down in tears. In 2021, during the home camp for the Asian Cup, Sangita suffered an ACL injury that sidelined her for nearly three years. While it took the Bengal player time to regain her rhythm and command in midfield, coach Chettri always believed in her potential. 'He gave me the confidence to go up the pitch and have a free role in midfield,' Sangita reveals. That decision bore fruit in the 29th minute against Thailand. Anju Tamang passed the ball to an onrushing Sangita, who took a touch and half-volleyed it into the far corner from outside the box. Her second goal – the winner in the 74th minute – was a team move straight off the training ground. Qualifying clutch: Sangita Basfore's stunning brace lit up Chiang Mai as India edged Thailand 2-1 in a high-stakes, do-or-die encounter. | Photo Credit: AIFF MEDIA Brushing up on the basics 'The set piece goal which Sangita scored, it was done for 53 days in training and then in three matches, but it came in use in the fourth match. That's why longer camps are always helpful,' India head coach Chettri says. In the lead-up to the qualifiers in Thailand, the Blue Tigresses trained at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru for almost two months. The extended camp allowed the team to play practice matches against local sides and two international friendlies against Uzbekistan, both narrowly lost 0-1. 🗣️ Sangita Basfore: It's not just about the Asian Cup! The World Cup is our target. 💫#WAC2026#BlueTigresses#IndianFootball ⚽️ — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 5, 2025 Chettri, who took charge in late January, believes such long camps are particularly important in the context of Indian women's football, where tactical basics are often underdeveloped. 'Women's football and men's football are completely different. The latter is thoroughly professional; they earn money in crores. But when it comes to women, as soon as the IWL is over, they are not that professional to take care of themselves.' Dynamic duo: After a carousel of coaching changes, the AIFF finally struck gold in 2025 — Crispin Chhetri took charge with Priya PV as his deputy, and together, the duo has forged a winning formula. | Photo Credit: AIFF MEDIA Planning ahead Chettri's first assignment was the Pink Ladies Cup in the UAE, where India faced Jordan, Russia, and South Korea. That tournament, along with his stint with Odisha FC in the AFC Women's Champions League, gave him insight into where India stood in comparison to stronger sides. 'I took a younger side because I knew technically we might not be there with these teams, but physically we could be. I needed more energy on the field. Mentally, I was building a team of players which could be suitable for all kinds of matches. While I did lose some players to injury, I had the core in mind,' he explains. 'I need hungry players. I need good players who make a team great, not great players who think about their names rather than the badge. I think I took a risk [taking a young side] but the federation supported me in this, and I think now we know the result.' The 24-member squad for the qualifiers featured players like Manisha Kalyan, Grace Dangmei, Soumya Guguloth, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, and Kiran Pisda – all of whom brought valuable overseas club experience. 'When our players go to Europe, they play at a certain intensity which we don't get regularly in IWL. With intensity, you improve your decision-making. That helps when they come and be part of the national team and inspire others to become better.' Room for improvement 'There were no shortcuts to success – this achievement was the result of a long-term vision and structured preparation,' an All India Football Federation (AIFF) release stated, while announcing a USD 50,000 reward for the team. The release also cited the impact of the ASMITA Leagues – a nationwide initiative launched in 2023 – which has contributed to a 232% increase in registered women footballers over the past year. 'How many people know about it? Can we share data about it? What we have started is good, but we have to promote it, share data and be transparent. Now that everyone is aware, we have to make parents aware of it, so that good players come through,' Chhetri said. 'While the federation and States have been working towards improving the women's game, the speed has been slow. This [qualification] will boost this process as well,' says assistant coach Priya P.V. 'We need to improve scouting from the grassroots level. You can find talent in schools, colleges, and even in random pockets. We shouldn't just stick to professional players because they have the IWL to play in,' adds the former Kerala footballer, who's been coaching for the past 15 years. Road to Australia – and beyond Financial boost: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a reward of USD 50,000 (around ₹42.75 lakh) for the Indian women's team in recognition of its historic qualification for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026. | Photo Credit: AIFF MEDIA Next year's AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia will be the final edition that serves as a direct qualifier for the FIFA World Cup. The semifinalists will earn direct qualification for the 2027 tournament in Brazil, while losing quarterfinalists will contest for two additional spots through playoffs. Teams missing out here will still have a final chance via the inter-confederation playoffs. 'I'm showing them dreams here. It's important because when you have a dream, only then do you work towards it. After the Thailand match, I think everyone has started believing in themselves. We lacked that before,' says Chettri. The Asian Cup will also act as a qualification route for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with all quarterfinalists progressing to the second round of qualifiers. On July 11, the AIFF unveiled a 'roadmap' to support the team's preparation for the tournament. This includes an early IWL season (September to January) and an 83-day camp spread over three phases. The plan envisions '10-12 international friendlies and five to seven matches with domestic teams'. 'According to the draw we get, we can dedicate one phase of the camp to each team. By the time the AFC comes, we have a camp of around 40 days and play friendlies against different nations with different playing styles. They could be an African country, a European team with a lot of intensity, or even a Latin American team that is very skilled. This will help us adapt to all situations,' Chettri explains. The draw will be held on July 29. Until then, the Indian team and its well-wishers can dare to dream about a successful tournament – one that could become a watershed moment for women's football in the country. 'It's high time we start supporting them. They should feel wanted. They should feel wanted. I think we'll go a long way,' Chettri concludes. Related Topics AFC Women's Asian Cup

India coach Crispin Chettri's advice to charges after Asian Cup qualification: ‘You might be on top of this mountain but it's the bottom of another'
India coach Crispin Chettri's advice to charges after Asian Cup qualification: ‘You might be on top of this mountain but it's the bottom of another'

Indian Express

time10-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Indian Express

India coach Crispin Chettri's advice to charges after Asian Cup qualification: ‘You might be on top of this mountain but it's the bottom of another'

When India toppled hosts Thailand and qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, head coach Crispin Chettri sank to his knees and fell into the arms of his colleagues. The coach tells The Indian Express about the emotional ride in Thailand and his vision for Indian women's football. Excerpts: There are times when you just freeze. You don't understand what happened. As a coach I am rarely expressive or emotional. My Odisha FC coaches were sending messages saying, 'For the first time we saw you on your knees.' I don't have exact words to describe it. I was sure that we would score goals. We concentrated on not conceding. We tried to organise ourselves defensively in training. However, the main thing was to not play with a defensive mindset. Sometimes when we do too many defensive drills, the players go into a defensive mindset. We tried to balance it out with some attacking drills. That attacking mindset helped us a lot. When the first goal went in, the belief grew stronger. One of the best goals (I have seen). In a fraction of a second she took control and the shot. We had a friendly against the Under-20 team in Bengaluru. She scored a banger like that with her left foot. She has been scoring goals like that in training also. In the previous matches in the qualifiers (too) she had been scoring regularly also. That was the main advantage. We had 7-8 goal-scorers. It speaks volumes about the mentality and the winning culture we wanted to create. We are not scared of losing, always try to go forward and score the goal. We focus on (chance creation). Helping a player score a goal is more important. Creating space for another player is much more important. So we see Sangita scoring the ball but the way Anju (Tamang) passed the ball, the way Rimpa (Haldar) and Anju combined, the way Pyari (Xaxa) moved and created that space for Sangita to move in and score that goal. The players did all the movements to make that happen was important. Mostly, I think yes. Our priority was to qualify. We also wanted to give game time to younger players like Kiran (Pisda), Malavika and Rimpa and so on. We did that. Only thing we wanted to give was more time to (goalkeepers) Mona (Monalisha Devi Moirangthem) and Payal (Basude), which we couldn't. The games came thick and fast. She is the kind of player who makes others around her look better because she takes that much load. Players like Sangita and Ratan deserve to score goals like those because they sacrifice everything for women's football. The things Sangita has gone through, recovered through all that pain, got back in the national team, in the starting eleven, she deserved to score those two important goals. Even if you had coached Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata derby, that pressure is nothing compared to the national team. All eyes are on you. Sometimes it gets to you, you make wrong decisions. Sometimes you are hyper in training and then you realise you were too harsh to the players. Definitely. The thing is that, sometimes you see things better than the players, you see what can be their optimum. Then when they relax, you don't like it. I have been a player and so I knew where that line is and when you cross and there were some situations where I crossed it. But that is part and parcel, sometimes that is how you trigger the players and get the best. I am from the hills and I told them that you might be on top of this mountain but that is always the bottom of another mountain. So we have to climb another mountain. Keep learning and growing as a team. What they need is the kind of support they are getting from everyone now. We were in the camp in Bengaluru for so many days, but nothing happened. Once Sunil (Chhetri) came and met the players, that was highlighted. These players deserve to be highlighted the way the men's players are. They would like to see fans singing their name. Right now, the right kind of exposure is needed. Australia will be a physical side, Japan would be the same. When we play friendly matches, we should be shrewd about who we face. We should play teams from African nations because they are quite physical so that by the time we reach the Asian Cup, I will know which players do well against physical opposition, who are suitable against opposition that is technically good and so on. So I want to see my players play in different kinds of scenarios. This should be planned out shrewdly. Maybe go to Australia a little early and acclimatise. We went to Thailand one week before the qualifiers and it helped us a lot. I was happy with what we had at (Padukone-Dravid Centre of Excellence), but we can always use better facilities. But there are so many other things also that help with improving performance. The better the facilities, the better chances of growing as a team. Rohit Mundayur is a Copy Editor with the Sports Team at The Indian Express. He works with the online team and is based out of Delhi. ... Read More

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