AFC Women's Asian Cup: From COVID-19 heartbreak, India back on merit against the continent's best

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 outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several teams returned positive tests, but none more than India, with 12 players affected. As a result, India was unable to name a 13-member squad for their opener, and they were forced to withdraw from the tournament.

That appeared to be a dampener for months and years to come. Players with purpose faded into oblivion. The ranking nosedived from 55th in the world at the time to 70th by June last year.



And then came the surge. 13-0 against Mongolia. 4-0 against Timor-Leste. 5-0 vs Iraq. Followed by a tough 2-1 win against last edition's quarterfinalists Thailand. Four games played and four wins helped India top Group B of the qualifiers and qualify for the finals for the first time in two decades on merit.

Now an even tougher test begins in Australia with the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup between March 1 and 21. India find themselves placed in a daunting group featuring two-time champions Japan, Vietnam and three-time winners Chinese Taipei.

Heralding this effort is Costa Rican Amelia Valverde who was appointed as India coach in January. She joined the existing coaching staff of Crispin Chettri, Priya PV, and Mario Aguia.

"We face three strong opponents with significant experience. Japan have been world champions; Vietnam played the last World Cup, and Chinese Taipei came very close to qualifying. We understand the level, and these matches will be very tight. Our objective is to compete in all three games, step-by-step. The first match will be very important. India earned the right to be here, and now we must compete," she told TimesofIndia.com from Perth.

The 39-year-old Valverde's CV makes for fine reading. Having begun as a coach in 2011, she became Costa Rica's manager for eight years (2015 until 2023) and led them to two FIFA Women's World Cups. She was named as the 2016 CONCACAF Female Coach of the Year and then Mexican Balón de Oro for the best coach in the Liga MX Femenil by the Mexican Football Federation during her time with CF Monterrey.

Her record against Asian teams inspires confidence too. She has faced four Asian teams as coach - Japan, South Korea, China and the Philippines - going down only to 2011 World Cup champions Japan.

Now, as part of the Indian women's football team, she has overseen a training camp in Turkey and a flurry of friendlies. There have been wins against FC Schlieren, Hertha BSC Frauen, Zvezda, FK Csíkszereda Miercurea Ciuc and Perth RedStar as well as a draw with Spartak Moscow.

Ahead of the Women's Asian Cup, the Sweety Devi-captained side has been in Australia since February 11 to get used to the conditions. Even before the first ball has been kicked, there has been heartbreak in the camp. Anju Tamang has been withdrawn due to injury with forward Karishma Shirvoikar coming in as a replacement. And then there is the expected chaos that comes with Indian football.

But for Valverde, the focus is firmly on the task at hand. An admirer of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Emma Hayes and Pia Sundhage, she doesn't think tinkering with the system is necessary at this stage.

"We’ve respected the structure and system the team already had, because they did very good work before qualification. Our goal has been to strengthen what already works well," she said about the stint so far. "The team must adapt to the demands of international-level football and what we believe is required. But we also must adapt to the players’ qualities. This team is brave, fast in attack, and strong defensively, so we’ve tried to strengthen those strengths," she continued.

For long, for better or for worse, the Indian men's football team has captured the attention while women have flown under the radar despite producing better results. The controversies and limelight have been strewn on the men's national team and leagues as women get step-motherly treatment from all stakeholders. Unfortunately, that isn't limited to India alone admits Valverde.

"This doesn’t happen only in India. It happens in many countries. Maybe USA is one exception. The only way to change it is by showing 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’ve knocked on the door and shown they can compete," said the Indian coach.

"Improving visibility, league duration, infrastructure, and support is a shared responsibility of the federation, country, media, everyone," she added as a guidance for way forward.

With 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and FIFA Women's World Cup qualification riding on the showing at the Asian Cup, the Indian women have a chance to flip the script and become the flag bearers of Indian national football. Maybe then, at least, the stakeholders will take notice.

QUICK GUIDE ON AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP

Groups and format

Group 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 two best third-placed teams will qualify for the quarterfinals.

India fixtures at AFC Women's Asian Cup

March 4: India vs Vietnam in Perth at 4:30 pm IST.

March 7: India vs Japan in Perth at 4:30 pm IST.

March 10: India vs Chinese Taipei in Sydney at 2:30 pm IST.

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India squad

Goalkeepers: 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.


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