Latest news with #Chettri
News18
29-07-2025
- 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.
News18
29-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Draw LIVE Updates: Tough Draw In Store For The Blue Tigresses
AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Draw Live Updates: Crispin Chhetri's India won their qualifying group and will seek to make up for lost time after being unable to take the pitch for the event debut because of the COVID-19 outbreak when hosting the last event. The 12 sides that have qualified for the AFC Asian Cup to be held in March 2026 will be divided into three groups of four on Tuesday. India will be represented by Chettri and midfielder Sangita Basfore in the draw ceremony, with the latter being one of the draw assistants besides Australia's Tameka Yallop and Korea Republic's Jeon Yu-gyeong. Follow for all LIVE Updates:
DW
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- DW
Nepal: Why EVs are swiftly taking over Kathmandu's streets – DW – 07/10/2025
Nepal is seeing a dramatic rise in the use of electric vehicles as the EV ecosystem expands and air pollution concerns rise. Sabin Kumar Chettri, a cab driver in Kathmandu, gave up his gasoline car in 2024 and switched to an electric vehicle (EV). Before the switch, he had used a car powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE) for about a decade, during which he faced steep maintenance bills, high vehicle taxes, and the rising cost of imported fuel. Chettri is one of the early EV adopters in Nepal whose shift to electric helped pave the way for the country's growing EV movement. "EV technology is getting better around the world, and I wanted to experience it, so I made an early switch from a gas-guzzler to a clean electric vehicle," he told DW. "I drive about 130 kilometers daily with passengers and earn around 11,000 Nepali rupees (€68, $80). Charging costs me just 500 rupees. Today, EV drivers don't worry about finding a charging station because they're available every 50 to 100 kilometers. Plus, EV companies provide free servicing up to 160,000 kilometers, which saves us a lot of money," Chettri said. Nepal has seen a dramatic rise in electric vehicle adoption — from just 250 EVs in 2020 to over 13,000 in 2024. More than 70% of newly imported four-wheeler private vehicles are now electric, a remarkable shift driven by favorable policies and growing public interest. It's part of a national strategy to reduce carbon emissions while transforming urban mobility. "We're seeing a clear rise in both the willingness and demand for electric vehicles from consumers, mainly because EVs are taxed less than internal combustion engine vehicles," Suresh Shrestha, senior divisional engineer and chief of the Vehicle Fitness Test Center (VFTC) at Nepal's Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT), told DW. "And today, EVs offer similar range and features compared to ICE-powered vehicles," he added. Nepal's government has also come up with an ambitious EV agenda. It wants 90% of new private and 60% of new public four-wheeler vehicles sold from 2030 onward to be EVs — one of the boldest targets in the region. "To reach these goals, the government is reducing tariffs and investing in the entire EV ecosystem by improving infrastructure and making the most of our clean, reliable hydropower," Shrestha underlined. Kathmandu ranks among the world's most polluted cities, where poor air quality is a daily reality for millions of residents. The capital's air is estimated to be 20 to 35 times more polluted than the World Health Organization's recommended PM2.5 levels. Major contributors include emissions from around 1.75 million vehicles, seasonal forest fires, smoke from brick kilns, dust from construction sites and the widespread practice of open waste burning. Together, these sources have created a toxic blanket over the city, threatening both human health and environmental sustainability. The air pollution troubles stretch far beyond the capital, with many regions across the Himalayan nation affected by it. According to the World Bank, air pollution causes around 26,000 deaths annually in Nepal, making it a major public health crisis. Against this backdrop, EVs are playing a major role in helping the country move off the list of the world's most polluted places. "EVs are pollution-free and silent. From what I hear, customers are more aware of environmental issues these days, and they also want to save on fuel and maintenance costs," Suman Maharjan, an EV dealer in Kathmandu, told DW. "We've already sold 125 units and 250 more are booked — all within just six months," he added. Nepal, however, is new to EV technology, relying on imports from neighboring China and India for almost all of the EVs plying its streets. To help sustain the EV adoption, the government says it is working closely with international partners. "Of course, challenges remain, especially around import standards and the lack of skilled technicians," said Shrestha. "The World Bank is currently studying the feasibility of converting ICE vehicles into EVs. And international partners like the Mitigation Action Facility, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) are helping to close the skill gap, train EV technicians, and expand access to EV financing through banks," he pointed out. Shrestha said harnessing Nepal's enormous hydropower resources could also provide the clean energy needed to boost wide-scale EV adoption. "Nepal is ahead in EV adoption and taking proactive steps to cut carbon emissions. Fossil fuels will run out one day, but with abundant clean hydropower, Nepal is in a perfect position to drive the shift to sustainable transport." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
FIFA Women's World Cup next mountain to climb for Blue Tigresses
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): It's been four days since India's historic qualification for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. But the dust from the celebrations isn't settling anytime soon, and the women's football hype is only on an upward curve. .'Honestly, it's still hard to express,' said the centre-back. 'There were so many mixed emotions. It didn't even feel real. We kept reassuring each other, 'Yes, it has happened, we've actually done it.' That feeling... it's indescribable. Anyone who supports women's football or is part of it would understand what it feels like to qualify. It was overwhelming.' Overwhelming might still be an understatement considering the giant and historic achievement this is for the Indian women's team. One that could shape the future of the women's game in the country. The stakes were incredibly high, as the Women's Asian Cup also serves as a pathway to the FIFA Women's World Cup. That's exactly why the Blue Tigresses are in no mood to rest after this first-ever 'qualification' for the Asian Cup. Coach Crispin Chettri barely wasted any time after the full-time whistle in conveying the task at hand to the girls. After the outpouring of emotions and hugs and cries and tears, Chettri gathered everyone in a huddle and said, 'The top of the mountain is the bottom of another mountain. We must continue to learn and grow as a team. We've made it to the Asian Cup. Our next target is the World Cup. We have to keep dreaming.' These dreams have taken multiple hits in the past. None as heartbreaking as the withdrawal from the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022, hosted by India, due to a COVID outbreak in the camp. The Blue Tigresses had only played one game, a 0-0 draw with Iran, and were theoretically only three matches away from qualifying for the World Cup before their dreams were shattered. 'I still get flashbacks from that. The regret lingered,' Sangita Basfore had said nine days before scoring both goals against Thailand, that will give India another shot at making the world stage. This is the second chance. Sweety added, 'It feels really relieving. The last time India hosted the tournament, we couldn't play due to COVID. But this time, we played all our matches well, we went through everything, and we qualified. We've done it after 23 years. The World Cup dream is alive.' And they didn't just do it against any opposition. This was Thailand, a side ranked 24 places above them, a side that had beaten them 10-0 in the 2014 Asian Games, a side that had already played two World Cups. This was Futoshi Ikeda's Thailand. The mastermind who coached Japan to the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup. He might have thrashed eventual world champions Spain 4-0 that time, but last Saturday, he and his side had no reply to the roar of the Blue Tigresses. Captaining India on such a monumental day is a memory that will stay with Sweety Devi forever, who, at only 25, already has 66 caps to her name. Chettri rotated captains during the Qualifiers, announcing it during the matchday morning team meeting and formally handing the armband in the dressing room. Sweety was the captain against Mongolia, Sangita got the armband against Timor-Leste, and Sanju had the opportunity to lead the team against Iraq. The 'leaders' may alternate, but for Sweety, this success is about the entire team, not just those on the pitch, but those off the pitch too, including the coaches and support staff. This is everyone's reward. 'It's always a proud moment to be a captain, but this is about the whole team. It's not just me. I only have the armband, and the team has given me that responsibility. But the contribution is equal. Each and every player, every staff member, and everyone has played a role. So this success belongs to the whole team and the whole nation.' India will know their opponents at the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 after the draw is conducted on July 29. Twelve teams will be split into three groups of four each. India is placed in Pot 4 and will be drawn against either Australia, Japan or DPR Korea from Pot 1, China, the Korea Republic or Vietnam from Pot 2, and the Philippines, Chinese Taipei or Uzbekistan from Pot 3. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best runners-up, will advance to the quarter-finals. The four quarter-final winners will qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 in Brazil. 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. (ANI)
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India's task cut out in ‘knockout' tie vs Thailand
"Tomorrow's game is not only about us qualifying for the AFC," Crispin Chettri said on the eve of their crucial winner-takes-all game against twice World Cup-finalists Thailand on Saturday. "It will be massive not only for women's football but for everyone related to football in India. It will be like a ray of hope," the Indian women's head coach told TOI from Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Friday. With the Indian men's team languishing on last spot in their respective group of the AFC qualifiers, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Manolo Marquez's successor at the senior national team's helm, and the general dismay regarding the future of Indian football among its followers, qualifying for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026 could be a small ray of hope for the country. While the last meeting between the sides ended in a 0-1 defeat for the Indian women at 2023 Asian Games, the Group B clash is billed to be one between equals, given the recent form of the both sides who have amassed the same number of wins, goals, points and an identical goal difference of +22 after three games at the qualifying leg at 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. India have romped to the top of the group with an 11-0 demolition of Mongolia, a 4-0 cruise against Timor Leste and a dominant 5-0 win over Iraq. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3.5, 4.5 BHK Homes starting at ₹4.89 Cr.* Hero Homes Learn More Undo On the other hand, the world No. 46 Thailand, needing 12 goals over Mongolia to beat Chettri's team to the coveted ticket to Australia, scored identical 11 goals to make Saturday's fixture a knockout match. With penalties to play decider if the winner isn't decided in the 90 minutes, India would like their firepower of Manisha Kalyan, Sangita Basfore, India's topscorer Pyari Xaxa and tournament revelation Priyadarshini Selladurai to wrap things up in regulation time. Basfore and Anju Tamang are the two players who were part of India's 2023 Asian Games squad that tasted defeat against Thailand and will be eager to turn things around, especially for teammate Soumya Guguloth, whose injury in the Iraq game will keep her out of the decider. Chettri, however, is impressed with the women's show so far, especially in the background of limited resources available in their journey, vis-a-vis the men's team. "As a coach, I am already proud of these players irrespective of the result (on Saturday). The amount of hard work and challenges they have faced to reach here is incredible. For me, in sports, there are no failures. We just keep learning and growing as a team," he signed off.
