Latest news with #CrispinChettri
India Gazette
7 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
AFC Women's Asian Cup: Mongolia, first obstacle in Blue Tigresses' road to Australia
Chiang Mai [Thailand], June 23 (ANI): India's road to the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 and the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 will officially begin on Monday when the Blue Tigresses take on Mongolia in the opening match of Group B of the Qualifiers at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, according to the official website of AIFF. India, twice runners-up of the erstwhile Asian Women's Championship in the 1980s, are aiming to make it to the continent's top women's competition for the 10th time and the first via the qualifiers' route. After Mongolia, India will take on Timor Leste on June 29, Iraq on July 2, and hosts Thailand on July 5 in Chiang Mai. Only the group winners will qualify for the 12-team AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026, which will serve as the qualifier for Asian teams for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. At the pre-tournament press conference, India coach Crispin Chettri said, 'First of all, I would like to thank the Football Association of Thailand for hosting us here. We arrived here earlier this week, and you have been so welcoming. Before that, we were preparing for the qualifiers in India (Bengaluru). We got a chance to play against Uzbekistan in two friendlies,' as quoted from the official website of the AIFF. 'We have a very interesting group with Thailand, Iraq, Mongolia and Timor-Leste. I think it will be a very good competition for everyone. Women's football is progressing in Asia, and everyone, the coaches and the players, are here to learn,' he added. 'For Thailand, it's a privilege to play at home. It's very encouraging for all of us to be here. For us, India, it's a big challenge. Competing with teams like Iraq, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, and especially, Thailand. But we are focused on one match at a time, and are looking forward to playing Mongolia tomorrow (Monday),' Chettri noted. India, ranked 70th in the world, have never faced Mongolia before. The East Asian side only played their first official match in 2018, which was also the year they last won a competitive fixture -- a 1-0 victory over Guam in the East Asian Women's Championship. Currently ranked 126th, Mongolia haven't played a tournament since November 2023 when they lost all three matches to Korea DPR (0-19), Hong Kong (0-6) and Northern Mariana Islands (3-4). Ahead of leading the team back into competitive action after a year and a half, Mongolia coach Bayasgalangiin Garidmagnai, who is also the coach of their senior men's national team, said, 'The national team has trained really well, although we had some internal problems and only had about three weeks of training. We are a bit concerned about the heat as we are a team from a cold country.' On the contrary, Chettri stated that the weather will not pose any issues for India. Although the conditions in Chiang Mai are more humid as compared to Bengaluru, the Blue Tigresses have acclimatised well in the northern Thai city. 'When it comes to the weather, I think India and Thailand are quite similar. We are used to the environment here now. We have come with a positive mindset. Although our team is in a transition phase, and we have come with very young players, our goal is to reach Australia,' said the Indian coach. (ANI)
NDTV
a day ago
- Sport
- NDTV
After 2022 Heartbreak, Indian Women's Football Team Eye Fresh Start In Asian Cup Qualifiers
More than three years after a COVID outbreak in the team derailed their campaign in the last AFC Women's Asian Cup, India will make a fresh bid for a place in the continental showpiece, with Mongolia being their first test in the Qualifiers in Chiang Mai on Monday. The upcoming edition of the premier tournament will be held in Australia next year. It wouldn't be wrong to says that the continent's top competition has been somewhat ill-fated for the Blue Tigresses in the last few decades. India last made it to the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2003. And when they hosted the tournament in 2022, a COVID outbreak in the side meant that India had to withdraw after only the first game and the results were declared void. While India do have three podium finishes in the erstwhile Asian Women's Championship (runners-up in 1980 and 1983, and third place in 1981), they have not achieved anything for more than 40 years. Besides the opener against Mongolia, India (ranked 70th) will face Timor Leste (ranked 158th) on June 29, Iraq (ranked 173rd) on July 2 and hosts Thailand (ranked 46th) on July 5, at the Chiang Mai Stadium. Only the group winners will qualify for the final tournament in Australia in March 2026, which will also serve as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027. Apart from Thailand, India have never faced the other three Group B opponents before. "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 head coach Crispin 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)." While India lost both friendlies 0-1 against Uzbekistan on May 30 and June 3, it was significant preparation for the all-important qualifiers. The Blue Tigresses, who had trained in Bengaluru since the start of May, travelled to Chiang Mai a week before the first game, and have had four full training sessions so far, including an intra-squad match. "I think coming to Chiang Mai earlier has helped us to acclimatise to the weather conditions and adjust to time difference. The weather here is 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 among ourselves on Thursday," said Chettri. With an average age of 23.6 years, Chettri has named a fairly young squad consisting of a lot of newcomers. But that's not to say there's a dearth of experience. For a Malavika, there's a Dangmei Grace, for a Priyadharshini, there's an Anju Tamang, for a Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, there's a Ngangbam Sweety Devi. "We have a very good mix of youth and experience. We had 18-year-old goalkeeper Monalisha (Moirangthem) debut against Uzbekistan. 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," said Chettri. "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."
India Gazette
a day ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Blue Tigresses ready for road to AFC Women's Asian Cup
Chiang Mai [Thailand], June 22 (ANI): In just over 24 hours, the Indian senior women's team will kick off their AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers campaign in the northern Thai city of Chiang MaiIt wouldn't be completely wrong to note that the continent's premier competition has been somewhat ill-fated for the Blue Tigresses in the last few decades. India last made it to the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2003. And when they hosted the tournament in 2022, a COVID outbreak in the team meant that India had to withdraw after only the first game and the results were declared void, as per the AIFF official website.. So, when head coach Crispin Chettri and his Blue Tigresses landed in Thailand on June 16, their only goal was to earn that ticket to Australia and become the first Indian squad to qualify for the AFC Women's Asian Cup via the qualifiers' route. While India does have three podium finishes in the erstwhile Asian Women's Championship (runners-up in 1980 and 1983, and third place in 1981), this is the time to create new history in the 21st century. India (ranked 70th) will face Mongolia (ranked 126th) on June 23, Timor Leste (ranked 158th) on June 29, Iraq (ranked 173rd) on July 2 and hosts Thailand (ranked 46th) on July 5, at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. Only the group winners will qualify for the final tournament in Australia in March 2026. The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 will also serve as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. Apart from Thailand, India have never faced the other three Group B opponents before. '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 as quoted by the AIFF official website. '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 added. While India lost both friendlies 0-1 against Uzbekistan on May 30 and June 3, it was significant preparation for the all-important qualifiers. The Blue Tigresses, who had trained in Bengaluru since the start of May, travelled to Chiang Mai a week before the first game against Mongolia, and have had four full training sessions so far, including an intra-squad match. '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. With an average age of just 23.6 years, Chettri has named a fairly young squad consisting of a lot of newcomers. But that's not to say there's a dearth of experience. For a Malavika, there's a Dangmei Grace, for a Priyadharshini, there's an Anju Tamang, for a Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, there's a Ngangbam Sweety Devi. 'We have a very good mix of youth and experience. We had 18-year-old goalkeeper Monalisha (Moirangthem) debut against Uzbekistan. 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,' said Chettri. '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. '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,' said Chettri. India's 23-member final squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 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. Head Coach: Crispin Chettri Assistant Coach: Priya PV Assistant Coach: Nivetha Ramadoss Goalkeeper Coach: Mario Luis Aguiar Strength and Conditioning Coach: Chelston Pinto AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Group B Schedule: June 23: Mongolia vs India (14:30 IST) June 29: India vs Timor Leste (14:30 IST) July 2: India vs Iraq (14:30 IST) July 5: Thailand vs India (18:00 IST) Venue: 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand. (ANI)
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Indian football — How can India women qualify for AFC Asian Cup? Qualifiers' schedule, live streaming info
The Indian senior women's team will kick off their AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers campaign in the north Thai city of Chiang Mai on Une 23. It wouldn't be completely wrong to note that the continent's premier competition has been somewhat ill-fated for the Blue Tigresses in the last few decades. India last made it to the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2003. And when they hosted the tournament in 2022, a COVID outbreak in the team meant that India had to withdraw after only the first game and the results were declared void. So, when head coach Crispin Chettri and his Blue Tigresses landed in Thailand on June 16, their only goal was to earn that ticket to Australia and become the first Indian squad to qualify for the AFC Women's Asian Cup via the qualifiers' route. While India has three podium finishes in the erstwhile Asian Women's Championship (runners-up in 1980 and 1983, and third place in 1981), this is the time to create new history in the 21st century. India (ranked 70th) will face Mongolia (ranked 126th), Timor Leste (ranked 158th), Iraq (ranked 173rd) and hosts Thailand (ranked 46th). Only the group winner will qualify for the final tournament in Australia in March 2026. The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 will also serve as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. Apart from Thailand, India have never faced the other three Group B opponents before. India squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 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. Head Coach: Crispin Chettri AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Group B Schedule: Date Match Kick-off time (in IST) Venue June 23 Mongolia vs India 2:30 pm 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand June 29 India vs Timor Leste 2:30 pm 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand July 2 India vs Iraq 2:30 pm 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand July 5 Thailand vs India 6:00pm 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand How to watch India's AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers? Unfortunately, India's matches in the AFC Women's Asian Cup will not be broadcast on the television. However, they can be live streamed on Thai Women's Football Facebook Page and Changsuek YouTube Channel.
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Crispin Chettri announces 24-member travelling squad to Thailand
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): The Indian senior women's team head coach, Crispin Chettri, on Monday announced a 24-member travelling squad to Thailand for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers. The final squad of 23 players for the Qualifiers will be confirmed before the first match. The Blue Tigresses are placed in Group B of the Qualifiers, where they will face Mongolia (June 23), Timor Leste (June 29), Iraq (July 2) and hosts Thailand (July 5). The matches will be streamed live on the Thai Women's Football Facebook Page and Changsuek YouTube Channel. The group winners will qualify for the final tournament in Australia in March 2026. The Women's Asian Cup also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. Chettri and his squad will arrive in Thailand on Monday evening, and will train for a week in the northern city of Chiang Mai before their first game. All matches will take place at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. The Blue Tigresses camped at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru for six weeks, and as part of their preparations for the Qualifiers, played two friendlies against Uzbekistan on May 30 and June 3, losing 0-1 on both occasions. 'I was happy with the preparations in Bengaluru,' said Chettri. 'We trained for more than 40 days. The training ground and all the facilities were excellent. As far as the squad is concerned, we have a good mixture of young and senior players. Unfortunately, we had to let go of forwards like Karishma (Shirvoikar), Sandhiya (Ranganathan) and Renu due to injuries. But that's part and parcel of football. And as compared to the Pink Ladies Cup squad (in February), we have more experienced players with us now.' The Indian coach tried various combinations during the two preparatory friendlies against Uzbekistan, rotating as many as eight players for the second game and handing out a total of five debuts. 'We had a clear plan for those two friendlies. We were trying to find the right combination for the qualifiers because we have to play almost four games in 13 days. Rotating players and giving them proper recovery time is important. We created many more chances in the second game as compared to the first, but the conversion was the problem, and that's what we'll work on in the coming days,' said Chettri. To adjust to the more humid weather of Chiang Mai, the Blue Tigresses will arrive in the city a week before the first match against Mongolia. They will also have a five-day gap before taking on Timor Leste in the second game. 'I'm pleased with the federation for sending us early to Thailand. There is ample time for acclimatisation and recovery. In Bengaluru, the weather has been very pleasant. But Chiang Mai is quite hot and humid at this time of the year. So, this week will help us a lot in our preparation,' Chettri added. India's 24-member travelling squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Goalkeepers: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, Payal Hemam Shilky Devi, Kiran Pisda, Martina Thokchom, Ngangbam Sweety Devi, Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, Purnima Kumari, Sanju, Sorokhaibam Ranjana Anju Tamang, Grace Dangmei, Karthika Angamuthu, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Sangita Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Manisha Naik, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth. Head Coach: Crispin ChettriAssistant Coach: Priya PVAssistant Coach: Nivetha RamadossGoalkeeper Coach: Mario Luis AguiarStrength and Conditioning Coach: Chelston Pinto AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Group B Schedule: June 23: Mongolia vs India (14:30 IST)June 29: India vs Timor Leste (14:30 IST)July 2: India vs Iraq (14:30 IST)July 5: Thailand vs India (18:00 IST) Venue: 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, ThailandLive stream: Thai Women's Football Facebook Page and Changsuek YouTube Channel.(ANI)
