India’s senior women’s football team has qualified to play in next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup, to be held in Australia. As part of their preparation for the tournament, the team coached by Crispin Chhetri will participate in a tri-nation series in Shillong starting Tuesday, October 21.
In the opening match, Sangita Basfore, Anju Tamang, and Ratanbala Devi’s India will face Iran. Their second match will be against Nepal on October 27. Among the three countries, India holds the highest FIFA ranking at 63, followed by Iran at 70 and Nepal at 89.
Of the three, India is the only team to have made it to the final 12 of the Asian Cup. Nepal narrowly missed qualification.
Earlier this July, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Crispin Chhetri’s side secured their Asian Cup spot by defeating Thailand 2–1. Kalyani’s own Sangeeta scored both goals in that victory.
Although India’s women have previously played in the Asian Cup, it was always as hosts. This is the first time they’ve qualified by winning in the qualifiers, which has boosted the team’s confidence for the main stage. Their preparation begins now in Shillong.
Coach Crispin, while focusing on the senior players for these two matches, has also included several promising juniors in the squad, selected after observing performances in the recently concluded National Senior Football Championship.
