India has been placed in a tough group with the likes of 8 times winner China, and 3 times winner Chinese Taipei, and first-time participants Iran in group A. The AFC Women's Asian Cup will start from 20th January to 6th February 2021. At selected venues in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Pune.
India has automatically qualified as they are the host nation of this tournament. This is the first time for India since their last participation in 2003. India's best performance was their runners up finishes in 1979 and 1983.
Now, India has been in a tough group as both China and Chinese Taipei are strong countries. These two teams have a combined number of 11 trophies as China won it 8 times and Chinese Taipei won it back to back 3 times from 1977 to 1981.
According to FIFA rankings, India is in 57th, China is 17th, whereas Chinese Taipei and Iran are at 40th and 72nd respectively.
How The Tournament Will Progress
The AFC Women's Asian Cup has been extended to 12 teams from the 8 since the 2018 edition.
The teams have been divided into three groups containing four teams each. In the group stage, each team will play a one-legged match.
The top two teams from each group progress directly to the quarter-finals, whereas the third-placed teams will play each other in a ranking round to finalize the two teams for the last eight.
The tournament will progress in a knockout format and the final is scheduled for February 6.
The previous edition champions Japan, along with South Korea, Myanmar, and Vietnam, make up Group. Whereas 2010 champions Australia, 1983 champions Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines are in Group B.
All matches in the tournament will be played behind closed doors as a precaution against COVID-19.
The Indian women's football team has ended the year with a statement victory of 14-0 over Maldives in a FIFA international friendly. The Blue Tigresses marked a statement win at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence on Monday, December 30, 2024.
Pyari Xaxa and debutant Lynda Kom Serto each finished with hat-tricks, scoring three and four goals respectively. Neha and Kajol Dsouza contributed two goals each, while Sangita Basfore, Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu, and Rimpa Haldar each accounted for one goal.
India’s newly-appointed Swedish coach, Joakim Alexandersson has marked a strong start with this victory and he will look forward to a second friendly against the same opponent at the same venue on January 2, 2025.
Dominating performance from the Blue Tigresses
Alexandersson previously announced 14 new names who got included in the 23-member squad for the friendly, marking a significant transition for the women's team.
However, eight of those players received some minutes against Maldives along with familiar names such as Grace Dangmei, Sangita Basfore, Sanju Yadav, Pyari Xaxa, and Ranjana Chanu.
8-0 lead at the break
The Blue Tigresses started the riot only seven minutes into the game as Pyari Xaxa volleyed the ball in following Lynda Kom's cross to open the books. In the very next minute, Xaxa again scored after Maldives goalkeeper Aminath Leeza failed to grip a long-ranger strike from Sangita Basfore.
However, Xaxa complimented Lynda back in the 12th minute with a swift cross which Lynda converted to score her first senior international goal. Pyari Xaxa completed her hat-trick from a corner kick in the 15th minute.
Only a minute later, another debutant Neha also scored her first senior international goal. In the 21st minute, Neha delivered a sublime cross for Lynda, who scored to register a brace.
Lynda Kom Serto made her debut memorable in the best possible way as the 19-year-old striker scored her third in the 29th minute. The ruthless riot from the Tigresses came to a halt for half-time, but Neha scored her second goal right before the half-time whistle tohelp India head into the break with an 8-0 lead.
Continuing the riot
The Indian team started the second half in the same manner as Sangita Basfore scored within six minutes. Right after scoring, Sangita provided an assist for Lynda in the 52nd minute who scored her fourth goal and took India to a 10-0 lead.
Defender Ranjana Chanu joined the party after converting a right-footed strike in the 54th minute. Kajol Dsouza, who made her debut replacing Lynda in the 56th minute, showcased her brilliance with two exquisite goals in the 59th and the 66th minute.
Rimpa Halder, another substitute, who replaced Pyari in the 56th minute also entered the scoresheet by scoring in the 62nd minute.
However, after having a 14-0 lead with almost twenty minutes left to play, the Indian team ceased their scoring spree and opted to control possession while experimenting with different midfield play patterns.
Exclusive Shreya Hooda: Best Goalkeeper in IWL & NFC, National team and the World Cup dream
Shreya Hooda won the Best Goalkeeper awards in the Indian Women's League and Senior Women's National Football Championship this season for a stellar season with Odisha FC and Haryana.
When the whole of India is buzzing with Sunil Chhetri's final international match in Kolkata against Kuwait on June 6, another Indian National football team has flown to Uzbekistan for two international friendlies. Before their first match at the Bunyodkor Stadium, Sportz Ponint was lucky enough to get hold of the Indian women's Football team goalkeeper Shreya Hooda.
Shreya, who recently celebrated her 25th birthday, did not start as a goalie. As an 11-year-old kid, when she joined the football camp, she was told to be a goalkeeper only because of her height. And, as they say, the rest is history.
"I am very happy to get the best goalkeeper award in the National Championship and IWL as well. Very grateful as I got this for the first time. I want to thank my teammates and coaches and the staff of Odisha FC and Haryana team," Shreya told Sportz Point on getting those two awards.
For both Haryana and Odisha, Shreya not only helped her teams with great saves, she looked like a leader at the back. Whether making the crucial calls for her defenders or going for the brave clearances during set pieces, Shreya was a rock at the back. Talking about holding her nerves during those crunch moments, Hooda said, "It is all about training and experience. In IWL, we are training for four to five months. We played regular matches. So, it comes naturally."
"Training plays a very important role in all those situations. What you do in the training, comes up in the match. I was happy to be the captain of Haryana and lead the team to second place at the National Championship," she added.
After a great season with the glove for her club and state, Shreya will now look to continue her form for the Blue Tigresses. "I want to continue this form and maybe do better than this for the India team," Hooda expressed.
"I will try to give my 100% in the upcoming matches against Uzbekistan and help my team as I did for Odisha and Haryana."
In an exclusive interview with Sportz Point in 2023, former Indian national team captain Bhaiching Bhutia said that the Indian Women's team, which ranks higher (66) in FIFA rankings than the men's (121), will play in the FIFA World Cup earlier than the men's.
Statements like this from stalwarts like Bhaichung Bhutia help young player Shreya to stay motivated and keep dreaming. "Everyone wants to play for their country in the World Cup. It is like a dream come true."
"Each and every player is working very hard as a team. Now, we are getting exposure, which helps us build a good team. Everyone is working hard, and we are getting everything. I hope that we qualify for the World Cup soon," Hooda stated.
India vs Uzbekistan: Women's football match schedule and streaming details
Date
Match
Time
Stadium
31/05/2024
Uzbekistan vs India
6 pm IST
Bunyodkor Stadium
4/06/2024
Uzbekistan vs India
TBD
Bunyodkor Stadium
The international friendlies between India and Uzbekistan in Tashkent will be streamed LIVE on the Uzbekistan FA YouTube channel.
India announces 23-member Senior Women’s Football Team squad for matches against Uzbekistan
The team's 30 probables trained for two weeks at Sreenidi Deccan FC's home ground in Hyderabad after which head coach Langam Chaoba Devi selected a 23-member squad.
The team's 30 probables trained for two weeks at Sreenidi Deccan FC's home ground in Hyderabad after which head coach Langam Chaoba Devi selected a 23-member squad.
The Indian Senior Women’s Football Team will leave for Tashkent on Wednesday.
India had participated in the four-nation 'Turkish Women's Cup' earlier this year. The team stood second after Kosovo in this. Teams from Estonia and Hong Kong were also included in this tournament.
The Indian Senior Women’s Football Team are currently camping in Hyderabad, where they are preparing for the two upcoming games in Tashkent.
Indumathi, Shilky, Shreya among the winners of IWL 2023-24 awards
Indumathi Kathiresan, Shilky Devi, and Shreya Hooda won the IWL 2023-24 best midfielder, defender and goalkeeper awards respectively. Meanwhile, Fazila Ikwaput with 13 goals in the season won the best striker award.
Indumathi Kathiresan, Shilky Devi, and Shreya Hooda won the IWL 2023-24 best midfielder, defender and goalkeeper awards respectively as Odisha FC claimed their maiden Indian Women's League title and Gokulam Kerala finished runners up. Meanwhile, Fazila Ikwaput with 13 goals in the season won the best striker award.
This is the second consecutive year that Indian star midfielder Indumathi Kathiresan made it to the awards list. Last year, playing for the Gokulam Kerala Indumathi was awarded the best player of the tournament. This year, after a stunning season with her new team Odisha FC, she won the Best Midfielder of the tournament award.
Along with her, Odisha FC goalkeeper Shreya Hooda claimed the best goalkeeper of the IWL 2023-24 award with nine clean sheets in 12 matches for the Kalinga Warriors. “I am so happy to come up with a good performance this season. I want to thank my coaches, support staff, teammates and especially Odisha FC for believing in me. I am grateful to all for this opportunity this season and it all happened because of my team. I want to dedicate this award to my defenders," Shreya told AIFF.
Meanwhile, Shikly Devi was one of the key players for Gokulam Kerala FC as they finished nearly toe-to-toe with Odisha to become the runners-up of the season. Shily since appearing for the Indian U-17 Women's team in the FIFA Women's U17 World Cup has come up the ranks to prove her metal.
While Shikly was a key hold at the back, Fazila Ikwaput was at her meanest for the Gokulam Kerala team at the front. Fazila Ikwaput, the Ugandan recruit of the most successful team in IWL history, scored 13 goals in the whole tournament to win the best striker of the tournament award.
IWL 2023-24 awards:
Winners: Odisha FC (Rs 10,00,000)
Runners-up: Gokulam Kerala FC (Rs 5,00,000)
Best Match Organisation: Sports Odisha (Rs 50,000)
Participating Club with The Best Media Operations: Odisha FC (Rs 50,000)
Best Striker (13 goals): Fazila Ikwaput – Gokulam Kerala FC (Rs 50,000)
Best Goalkeeper: Shreya Hooda – Odisha FC (Rs 50,000)
Best Defender: Hemam Shilky Devi – Gokulam Kerala FC (Rs 50,000)
Best Midfielder: Indumathi Kathiresan – Odisha FC (Rs 50,000)
In a historic feat, the Chaoba Devi-led Indian senior women's team clinched a hard-fought 4-3 victory against Estonia on Wednesday in the Turkish Women's Cup 2024.
The Blue Tigresses, locked at 1-1 at halftime, displayed resilience as they triumphed over a UEFA confederation team for the first time in official Turkish Women's Cup competition.
Played at the scenic Gold City Sports Complex in Alanya, Turkey, Manisha Kalyan's early goal set the tone for India. After Estonia drew level in the 32nd minute off a goal by Lisette Tammik, a rampaging India struck thrice through Indumathi Kathiresan (62'), Pyari Xaxa (79'), and Manisha (81') again to take a commanding 4-1 lead.
Just as it appeared that the Indian girls were on their way to a resounding victory, Estonia made a last-ditch effort to equalise, scoring twice through Vlada Kubassova (88') and Mari Liis Lillemae (90'). The Indian defense, under pressure in the dying moments, held firm to secure the historic win. Chaoba Devi's strategic adjustments and the team's resilience showcased their determination.
India began the match intending to hit Estonia on the counter, using its speedy wingers, while letting Estonia drive deeper into the box. Manisha initiated an India move with a clever back-heel to Pyari, who put Anju Tamang through behind the opposition defence this time. A melee ensued inside the Estonia box. As Anju's shot was blocked, Manisha collected the ball and drove it in from the near post from a narrow angle.
India ceded more control of the ball to Estonia after taking the lead and paid the price for it, a little after the half-hour mark. Vlada Kubassova sent in an accurate cross from the left, which Tammik nodded in. Chaoba Devi's side tightened the screws as it came out in the second half, enforcing a mid-block, which meant that Estonia could no longer control the proceedings in the middle of the park.
And India finally took the lead a little after the hour mark through Indumathi. Soumya Guguloth initiated the attack on the right, passing it to Anju, who squared it to Pyari, who, in turn, laid it off for Indumathi at the edge of the box. The India midfielder unleashed a left-footed shot that snuck into the bottom corner. In the 79th minute, Soumya snatched the ball in the middle and threaded a through ball, which was latched on by Pyari. The Odisha FC forward barged into the box along the right, cut inside, and buried the ball into the bottom-left corner to double India's lead.
Two minutes later, Manisha added the fourth, controlling a cross by Sandhiya Ranganathan and scoring at the near post. Though Estonia's late surge saw Kubassova and Lillemmae reduce the deficit to just one goal at the end of regulation time, India managed to run the game down to earn a well-fought victory against the European team.
India's next challenge of Turkish Women's Cup 2024 awaits against Hong Kong on Saturday, February 24, with Kosovo completing the four-team round-robin tournament lineup.