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Mint
2 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Football: A turning point for India's Blue Tigresses
Chances are you didn't see the biggest thing to happen to Indian football in recent times. After all, it wasn't beamed on live television or picked up by any of the plethora of streaming services. When India played Thailand earlier this month, in a match that would decide their fate for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup football and keep their World Cup dream alive, it was only streamed live on the Changsuek YouTube Channel and Thai Women's Football Facebook Page. Most of India was hence tuned out as the national women's football team made history. They defeated Thailand, a team ranked 24 places above them in the FIFA rankings, 2-1 on 5 July to qualify for the Asian Cup for the very first time. Yes, India had played the showpiece continental event before —in 2003, when they competed directly in the main draw, and then in 2022, when they were given an automatic spot as hosts but had to leave the tournament due to a covid-19 outbreak in the team. But this was the first Indian side to earn their place in the line-up, that includes football powerhouses like Japan, Australia and South Korea. To get there, they defeated Thailand, a team they had never beaten before in front of their home crowd at the Chiang Mai Stadium. 'It is sad," says India's most-capped player Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, who sat out the tournament as she is recovering from an ankle injury. 'That we had to watch it on the Facebook page of the rival team. But this is why the success of the Indian team is so important. No one will support us till we prove ourselves." The Indian women's team is no stranger to indifference. Though not the most competent of bodies, the All India Football Federation's governance of the women's game was shambolic till recently. The first top-flight club tournament, the Indian Women's League (IWL), was only founded in 2016. National camps were few and far between. In 2023, the IWL took place after the completion of the more popular men's Indian Super League and were made to play in the afternoon in April in the sweltering heat in Ahmedabad. Things have improved in the last couple of years. The IWL now takes place over four months, rather than the 18 days it started out with. Participating clubs have adopted a more professional approach and have boosted player salaries. Players like Manisha Kalyan, Soumya Gugoloth and Jyoti Chauhan earned contracts with European clubs and brought back all that knowledge and experience. Even now, Ashalata points out, most of the national team members have to take up government jobs to sustain themselves. This is what the Indian team that played in Thailand was battling for, a lost past and a better future. The team was as prepared as they had ever been. A two-month national camp under the guidance of new coach Crispin Chhetri, and international friendlies had helped them get ready for the challenge ahead. The 'Blue Tigresses" started their journey by ripping through the competition. They defeated Mongolia 13-0, Timor Leste 4-0 and Iraq 5-0 in their first three Group B matches to set up a tantalising decider. Going into the final match against the hosts, India were dead level with Thailand on nine points and goal difference of +22. It was a virtual knockout against an opponent they had never beaten. Thailand were seeking their 10th Asian Cup qualification and had been to the World Cup twice, in 2015 and 2019. 'That morning, we did our prep, had the team meeting," says defender Sweety Devi Ngangbam, who captained the Indian team in the match against Thailand. 'We knew this was the one chance in our life to go through. We believed in each other, knew we had a great chance with this group." 'There was no room for error, we had to do this," the 25-year-old adds. 'I was lucky that my father was a football coach, pushed me into the game and supported me throughout. But I have seen so many players struggle. Most of them have to battle their families and society just to play the game. Then, they have to deal with things like lack of funds, of access to grounds or a proper diet. So many had to face these challenges, we knew we needed to do this for the future generation of players." This was a team on a mission. Sangita Basfore gave them the lead in the 29th minute. But Thailand came back hard in the second half and scored through Chatchawan Rodhong in the 47th minute. After Basfore secured a lead for India once again, in the 74th minutes, the Indian team protected their lead gallantly, throwing bodies in defence as Thailand mounted one attack after another. Once the final whistle blew, the Indian team erupted in joy, then melted down in tears. 'We kept hugging, and reassuring ourselves that we had done it," says Sweety Devi. While qualifying for the Asian Cup for the first time in 23 years is a historic achievement indeed, the endgame for this team is the World Cup. The AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia will serve as a qualifying event, with the top six teams progressing to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. 'This could be a turning point in women's football in India," says Ashalata, 32. 'The road to World Cup is open." The dream is on. Hopefully, there may be a few more takers this time. Deepti Patwardhan is a sportswriter based in Mumbai
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
India vs Thailand LIVE streaming info: Where to watch AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifier between IND and THA?
India faces higher-ranked Thailand in a must-win match in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Both sides have the same goal difference and have attained nine points from three games. Only the group winner will advance to the continental tournament set to be held in Australia next year. When is the India vs Thailand AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier? The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier between India and Thailand will kick off at 6 pm IST on Saturday, July 5, at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. Where to watch the India vs Thailand AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier LIVE? The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier between India and Thailand will be streamed live on Changsuek YouTube Channel and Thai Women's Football Facebook Page.
Bangkok Post
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
Thailand keen to keep momentum going
Thailand will aim to keep their perfect run going when they face Mongolia in their third Group B game of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers in Chiang Mai Wednesday night. The Chaba Kaew had convincing wins in their first two matches of the qualifying tournament for Australia 2026, dominating Timor Leste 4-0 in the opener before thrashing Iraq 7-0. The Thais are in second place in the group with India heading the pool on goal difference. The winners of the eight qualifying groups will join the four seeded teams in next year's finals. Mongolia are still looking for their first point in this competition and are lying at the bottom of the group after two straight losses. Thai-English midfielder Rhianne Rush said after Tuesday's training: "The game with Iraq was my first for the Thai women's national team and I am happy with the way I performed. "For the next game against Mongolia, I think we'll be able to get three points. All the players in the team and the coaching staff are working very hard. "It's good to see so many people cheering us at the venue and watching our games on TV." The match between Thailand and Mongolia will kick off at 7.30pm at Chiang Mai's 700th Anniversary Stadium and will be broadcast live on the Changsuek YouTube channel and the Thai Women's Football Facebook page. In the first match of the day, India will take on Iraq at 4pm at the same venue. Teerasil joins Angels Veteran Thailand striker Teerasil Dangda has joined Thai League 1 runners-up Bangkok United. The 37-year-old Teerasil is one of the most successful Thai football players. He won the top-flight title with Muang Thong United four times in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2016. Teerasil also has overseas experience after stints in Spain and Japan. He joined BG Pathum United in 2020 and remained with the club until his contract expired a few months ago. In another development, Thailand midfielder Ekanit Panya has returned to Pathum United after a six-month loan spell with J2 League side Ehime.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
India vs Iraq LIVE streaming info: Where to watch AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifier between IND and IRQ?
India resumes its AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifying campaign against Iraq on Wednesday. The Blue Tigresses lead Group B with six points, closely followed by Thailand which is second due to a lower goal difference. Coach Crispin Chettri noted that there's not much difference between Timor Leste and Iraq, and that getting all three points will take priority over the number of goals being scored. When is the India vs Iraq AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier? The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier between India and Iraq will kick off at 2:30pm IST on Wednesday, July 2, at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. Where to watch the India vs Iraq AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier LIVE? The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier between India and Iraq will be streamed live on Changsuek YouTube Channel and Thai Women's Football Facebook Page.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
India vs Timor Leste LIVE streaming info: Where to watch AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifier between IND and TLS ?
India resumes its AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifying campaign against Timor Leste on Sunday — the first-ever meeting between the two sides. Group B is led by Iraq (4 pts), with India and Thailand on 3 each. Coach Crispin Chettri noted Timor Leste's defensive organisation and counter-attacking threat, but said its attacking quality remains unclear after being dominated by Thailand in a 4-0 defeat. When is the India vs Timor Leste AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier? The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier between India and Timor Leste will kick off at 2:30pm IST on Sunday, June 29, at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. Where to watch the India vs Timor Leste AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier LIVE? The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier between India and Timor Leste will be streamed live on Changsuek YouTube Channel and Thai Women's Football Facebook Page.
