This is for the first time that any Indian senior national team will be playing against either Brazil, Chile, or Venezuela.
The Indian Women’s football team is ready to play an AFC Asian Cup international tournament in Manaus this November.
The Indian National Women’s football team will be playing against former World Cup runners-up Brazil for the first time during an international match later this month as part of its preparations for next year’s AFC Asian Cup.
Chile ranked 37th in the FIFA chart, and Venezuela (56th) and Venezuela (56th) are the other teams that the 57th-ranked Indians will face in the November 25 to December 1 tournament, which will be held in Manaus, Brazil.
“This is for the first time that any Indian senior national team will be playing against either Brazil, Chile, or Venezuela,” the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said in a release.
This is a part of the Indian team’s preparation for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup next year, which India will host. Recently in October, India won three matches and lost three when they played six friendlies in Dubai, Hamad Town, and Stockholm.
Brazil and India will kickstart this international tournament on November 25 in Manaus, Brazil.
India will play Chile on November 28 and Venezuela on December 1. Brazil plays Venezuela and Chile on November 28 and December 1, respectively, apart from the India matches, while Chile and Venezuela will play each other on November 25.
The exact date for the team’s departure has not still been finalized.
Still, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is also looking to arrange more matches, including a 4-nation tournament in India in December.
WHAT AUTHORITIES OF THE AIFF HAVE TO SAY
AIFF general secretary Kushal Das told News18.com that they will try to give the team the best preparation before the AFC Asian Cup of women’s 2022.
After the matches in Brazil, they are trying to organize a 4-nation tournament in India in December.
According to him, the national team department and the International Relations department are constantly communicating with various Member Associations.
After his appointment, Swedish coach Thomas Dennerby made it clear that he wants as many as possible and quality international matches for his team before the Asian Cup.
He said he wanted 25 matches, but India may not reach that number because of the Covid-19 circumstances that make it challenging to arrange for friendlies.
FRIENDLIES PLAYED BY THE TEAM
In the six friendlies that the women’s football team played a month ago, the results were: Djurgardens IF 1-0 India, UAE 1-4 India, India 0-1 Tunisia, Bahrain 0-5 India, Hammarby IF 3-2 India, and India 1-0 Chinese Taipei.
These have been quality friendlies for the Indian team, and the tournament in Brazil is all set to test them even further.
Ten members of the national team are currently in action for Gokulam Kerala FC in the AFC Asian Club of women’s Championship which will be held in Jordan. Gokulam began with a 2-1 loss to home team Amman FC.
Even though Gokulam opened the scoring, Amman hit back in the second half with gusto and won.
Gokulam has more matches in the AFC Asian Cup pilot project against Iranian team Shahrdari Sirjan and Uzbekistan’s FC Bunyodkor.
THE PREPARATION
According to Khel Now’s website, the team has started their preparatory camp for the upcoming tournament, which is being held in Jamshedpur.
Most of the players and staff have joined as well.
Some key names that are yet to join our Aditi Chauhan, Soumya Guguloth, Ritu Rani, Manisha Kalyan, Dalima Chhibber, Dangmei Grace, and assistant coach Priya PV among others.
They are all with Gokulam Kerala for their ongoing AFC Asian Club of women’s Championship 2021 campaign and will join the camp after November 13.
The women’s national team has not yet participated in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games. According to FIFA Women’s World Rankings, the present ranking of the team is 57 and 11 among Asian countries.
