Latest news with #AFCWomen'sAsianCupAustralia2026
The Hindu
6 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.'
News18
8 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.
United News of India
a day ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Sangita Basfore to assist AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Final Draw in Sydney
New Delhi, July 28 (UNI) The draw for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 will be conducted at the Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday at 14:30 IST. India will be represented by coach Crispin Chettri and midfielder Sangita Basfore in the draw ceremony. Sangita, who scored a sensational brace against Thailand in the final Qualifier, will have the privilege of being one of the three draw assistants alongside Australia's Tameka Yallop and Korea Republic's Jeon Yu-gyeong. For the 21st edition of Asia's biggest women's national team event, twelve teams will be divided into three groups of four each. India were one of the eight teams that secured their place in the tournament via the qualifiers, joining hosts Australia, and the top three finishers from the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 — China PR, Korea Republic, and Japan. Scheduled to take place from March 1 to 21, 2026, the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 will be staged across Sydney, Perth, and the Gold Coast, including in stadiums that witnessed the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, as the tournament returns Down Under for the first time since 2006. Runners-up in 1980 and 1983, India will make their first appearance in the tournament since 2003 after a historic qualification campaign saw the Blue Tigresses emerge as toppers of Group B of the Qualifiers, defeating Thailand, Iraq, Timor-Leste, and Mongolia earlier this month. For the pot allocations for the Final Draw, the seeding is based on the latest FIFA Women's World Ranking (as of June 12). India, ranked 70th, are placed in Pot 4, and will be drawn against either Australia, Japan, or DPR Korea from Pot 1, China, Korea Republic, or Vietnam from Pot 2, and Philippines, Chinese Taipei, or Uzbekistan from Pot 3. The top two sides from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals. The four quarter-final winners will qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. The losing quarter-finalists will contest the play-offs for the two remaining direct spots allocated to the AFC for the World Cup. The two play-off losers will have another chance of qualifying for Brazil via the inter-confederation play-offs. As hosts, Australia will be designated as the top seed and occupy position A1. Pot allocations for the Final Draw (FIFA Rankings in brackets): Pot 1: Australia (15), Japan (2), DPR Korea (9) Pot 2: China PR (17), Korea Republic (21), Vietnam (37) Pot 3: Philippines (41), Chinese Taipei (42), Uzbekistan (51) Pot 4: IR Iran (68), India (70), Bangladesh (128) The draw will be streamed live on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube Channel. UNI BM
Business Recorder
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Iran book final ticket to 2026 women's Asian Cup
SYDNEY: Iran has booked the final ticket to the women's Asian Cup, beating Jordan 2-1 with the cast now set for the 2026 tournament in Australia. Marziyeh Jafari's side defied the odds with victory in Amman on Saturday to ensure they will be at the event in Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney from March 1-21. Defending champions China, Asian powerhouses Japan and South Korea, along with the host nation all qualified automatically. Joining Iran in batting through the qualifiers was India, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, the Philippines and North Korea. Jota inducted into Wolves' Hall of Fame 'It's an incredibly exciting time for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 – the final 12 teams are locked in,' said local organising committee chief Sarah Walsh on Sunday. 'There's a real energy building, not just here in Australia but across Asia, and this diverse, high-quality line-up shows just how far women's football has come.' The tournament draw will take place in Sydney on July 29.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Iran qualifies for Women's AFC Asian Cup 2026, follows India, Bangladesh into the finals
Iran has booked the final ticket to the women's Asian Cup, beating Jordan 2-1 with the cast now set for the 2026 tournament in Australia. Marziyeh Jafari's side defied the odds with victory in Amman on Saturday to ensure it will be at the event in Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney from March 1-21. Defending champion China, Asian powerhouses Japan and South Korea, along with the host nation all qualified automatically. Joining Iran in batting through the qualifiers was India, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, the Philippines and North Korea. 'It's an incredibly exciting time for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 -- the final 12 teams are locked in,' said local organising committee chief Sarah Walsh on Sunday. 'There's a real energy building, not just here in Australia but across Asia, and this diverse, high-quality line-up shows just how far women's football has come.' The tournament draw will take place in Sydney on July 29.
