AFC Women’s Asian Cup: After COVID-19 heartbreak, India returns on merit against continent’s best | Football news

NEW DELHI: In 2022, India was chosen to host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup for the first time since 1980. The euphoria of playing in front of home fans was overshadowed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several teams have returned positive tests, but none more than India, with 12 players affected. As a result, India were unable to name a 13-member squad for their first match and were forced to withdraw from the tournament.This seems to be a hindrance for the months and years to come. Determined players fell into oblivion. The ranking rose from 55th in the world at the time to 70th in June last year.

And then came the rise to power. 13-0 against Mongolia. 4-0 against Timor-Leste. 5-0 against Iraq. Followed by a difficult 2-1 victory against Thailand, last edition’s quarter-finalists. Four matches played and four wins helped India top Group B of the qualifiers and qualify for the final for the first time on merit.An even tougher test now begins in Australia with the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which takes place from March 1-21. India find themselves placed in a daunting group including two-time champions Japan, Vietnam and three-time winners Chinese Taipei.Costa Rican Amelia Valverde, named India coach in January, announced this effort. She joined the existing coaching team of Crispin Chettri, Priya PV and Mario Aguia.“We are facing three strong opponents with great experience. Japan were world champions, Vietnam played in the last World Cup and China Taipei came very close to qualifying. We understand the level and these matches will be very close. Our goal is to participate in all three games, step by step. The first match will be very important. India has earned the right to be here, and now we have to compete,” she told TimesofIndia.com from Perth.

The 39-year-old Valverde’s CV makes for interesting reading. After starting as a coach in 2011, she became Costa Rica’s coach for eight years (2015 to 2023) and led them to two FIFA Women’s World Cups. She was named the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Coach of the Year and then Mexican Balón de Oro for Best Coach in Liga MX Femenil by the Mexican Football Federation during her time at CF Monterrey.His record against Asian teams also inspires confidence. She competed against four Asian teams as a coach – Japan, South Korea, China and the Philippines – leading up to 2011 world champions Japan.Now, as a member of the Indian women’s football team, she has overseen a training camp in Türkiye and a series of friendly matches. There were wins against FC Schlieren, Hertha BSC Frauen, Zvezda, FK Csíkszereda Miercurea Ciuc and Perth RedStar as well as a draw against Spartak Moscow.Ahead of the Women’s Asian Cup, the Sweety Devi-led team has been in Australia since February 11 to get used to the conditions. Even before the first ball was kicked, there was heartbreak in the camp. Anju Tamang was withdrawn due to injury and striker Karishma Shirvoikar replaces him. And then there is the expected chaos that comes with Indian football.

But for Valverde, the focus is on the task at hand. An admirer of Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho, Emma Hayes and Pia Sundhage, she does not think there is a need to tinker with the system at this stage.“We respected the structure and the system that the team already had, because they did a very good job before qualifying. Our goal has been to strengthen what is already working well,” she said of her time so far. “The team has to adapt to the demands of international level football and what we think is necessary. But we also have to adapt to the qualities of the players. This team is courageous, fast in attack and strong in defense, so we tried to strengthen these strengths,” she continued.For a long time, for better or worse, the Indian men’s football team commanded the spotlight while the women went unnoticed despite their better results. Controversies and spotlight have spilled over the men’s national team and leagues as the women enjoy step-motherly treatment from all stakeholders. Unfortunately, this is not limited to India, Valverde admits.

“This is not just happening in India. It is happening in many countries. The United States is perhaps an exception. The only way to change it is to show it on the pitch. The players have already shown something important by qualifying for this Asian Cup after more than 20 years (since 2003). They knocked on the door and showed that they can compete,” the Indian coach said.“Improving visibility, league duration, infrastructure and support is a shared responsibility of the federation, the country, the media and everyone,” she added to guide the future.With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers in sight at the Asia Cup, Indian women have a chance to flip the script and become the flag bearers of Indian national football. Maybe then, at least, stakeholders will take note.QUICK GUIDE TO THE AFC WOMEN’S ASIAN CUPGroups and formatGroup A: Australia, South Korea, Iran and Philippines.Group B: North Korea, China, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.Group C: India, Japan, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei.The top two teams from each group and the top two third-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals.India’s schedule at the AFC Women’s Asian CupMarch 4: India vs Vietnam in Perth at 4:30 p.m. IST.March 7: India vs Japan in Perth at 4:30 p.m. IST.March 10: India vs Chinese Taipei in Sydney at 2:30 p.m. IST.Live stream on FanCode.Team IndiaGoalkeepers: Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, Shreya Hooda, Sowmiya Narayanasamy.Defenders: Astam Oraon, Juli Kishan, Martina Thokchom, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Sanju Yadav, Sarita Yumnam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Sushmita Lepcha, Sweety Devi Ngangbam.Midfielders: Aveka Singh, Babina Devi Lisham, Jasoda Munda, Sanfida Nongrum, Sangita Basfore.Forwards: Grace Dangmei, Kaviya Pakkirisamy, Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika Prasad, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth, Karishma Shirvoikar.