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Crispin Chhetri Chuffed With Indian Women's 'Mix Of Youth, Experience' Ahead Of AFC Asian Cup Qualifier
Chhetri opined that the side has a healthy mix of senior and young players, who would contribute immensely towards India's push to the spectacle.
The Indian national women's football team will get their AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers underway on Monday against Mongolia at the Chiang Mai Stadium in Thailand.
Head coach Crispin Chhetri expressed his satisfaction with the 70th ranked side's preparation heading into the event, with only the top placed team in the group punching their ticket to Australia next year.
'We don't have much information about Mongolia, Timor Leste and Iraq. They haven't played any matches recently. We do know a bit about Thailand. They played two games against Nepal in the last window, and one of them was closed doors," said Chettri.
'I tried different variations in our friendlies against Uzbekistan. I tested many combinations in midfield, involving Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu, Ratanbala Nongmaithem, Grace Dangmei and Anju Tamang," he continued.
'I think coming to Chiang Mai earlier has helped us a lot to acclimatise to the weather conditions and adjust to the time difference. The weather here is a bit more humid than in Bengaluru. The training ground is great and we're shaping up well for the forthcoming matches. We also played a full 90-minute match amongst ourselves on Thursday," said Chettri.
Chhetri opined that the side has a healthy mix of senior and young players and added that he was confident that the young guns would contribute immensely towards India's push to the spectacle slated to be held in Australia next year.
'We have a very good mix of youth and experience. We had 18-year-old goalkeeper Monalisha Moirangthem debut against Uzbekistan," he continued.
'I'm not scared to play with youngsters because this is how they are going to gain experience. And playing such important AFC matches will help us grow," Chettri added.
India are pooled alongside hosts Thailand, Timor Leste, Iran and Mongolia in Group B of the qualifiers.
'Staying and working together for more than 45 days has done a great deal of good for their chemistry, and now what matters is executing it on the pitch. The focus on the training pitch has shifted more to tactical details," the 50-year-old continued.
'We're done working on the physical aspects now. We're focusing on patterns and set pieces every day, whether it's defending or attacking. We'll also know more about the opponents as the qualifiers progress," he signed off.
AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Group B Schedule:
June 23: Mongolia vs India
June 29: India vs Timor Leste
July 2: India vs Iraq
India's 23-member squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, Payal Basude.
Defenders: Hemam Shilky Devi, Kiran Pisda, Martina Thokchom, Ngangbam Sweety Devi, Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, Purnima Kumari, Sanju, Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu.
Midfielders: Anju Tamang, Grace Dangmei, Karthika Angamuthu, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Sangita Basfore.
Forwards: Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth.
