New Delhi, March 22 (NationPress) - The head coach of the India U20 women's team, Joakim Alexandersson, stated that the squad has shown remarkable growth since they qualified for the Women's Asian Cup 2026 in Thailand and are not intimidated by the challenge of competing against some of Asia's top teams.

The U20 women’s team reached Bangkok 13 days prior to their first match, allowing ample time to acclimatize to the local climate, which is fairly similar to the conditions in Kolkata, where they trained after returning from Sweden earlier this month.

India’s preparation has been extensive, spanning different continents and styles. It started with high-intensity friendlies closer to home. Matches against Uzbekistan in Mahabalipuram and Kazakhstan in Shymkent last year provided contrasting challenges that were vital in enhancing the team's tactical growth.

“The matches against Uzbekistan were crucial for us,” Alexandersson remarked, as reported by AIFF. “We had excellent training facilities in Chennai and played two beneficial friendly matches. These were important for preparing us for high-intensity games. Kazakhstan presented a more physical challenge, with bigger and stronger players, some of whom had senior-level experience,” he elaborated.

A pivotal component of India’s preparation was a month-long training camp in Sweden, which pushed the team into new and challenging environments.

“From a football standpoint, the camp was incredibly valuable,” Alexandersson shared. “We had access to top-notch facilities, vigorous training sessions, and a well-equipped gym.”

In total, India participated in five friendly matches, but the opening game against the senior squad of Swedish giants Hammarby IF was a harsh reality check, resulting in a 0-6 defeat.

“That match was tough. The pace, quality, and movement were exceptionally high, and we had to exert ourselves defensively. However, the girls displayed a commendable mentality,” Alexandersson noted. “With every match, we have advanced, especially in our defensive organization and attacking strategies. We’ve made notable strides in creating scoring opportunities.”

Significantly, the team practiced absorbing pressure and commanding play—a crucial balance at the tournament level. “Importantly, we have remained committed to playing a technical, possession-oriented style of football,” he added.

India is set to compete against Japan on April 2, Australia on April 5, and Chinese Taipei on April 8 in Group C. The two leading teams from the group and the two best third-placed teams across all three groups will progress to the quarter-finals. Furthermore, the four quarter-final victors will qualify for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Poland in 2026.

“It’s certainly a challenging group,” Alexandersson expressed. “Japan is among the best teams globally at this level, and Australia is also very robust and physical. It’s essential that we respect our opponents but do not fear them. We aim to play confidently, not just to defend but also to maintain possession and express ourselves.”

Since achieving historic qualification in August of last year, the Indian U20 women's team has experienced substantial development in various aspects of the game.

“There has been considerable improvement,” Alexandersson noted. “I’ve observed better ball movement, quicker passing, and enhanced clarity in the final third. Defensively, we are more structured, and communication, particularly from the goalkeepers, has progressed. Every area we pinpointed for enhancement has moved forward. Now, we need to see how that translates against top-tier opponents.”

While India may not have the same physical presence as some of their competitors, the team has sharpened its focus on other strengths such as tactical discipline, aggression, and intelligence.

“I’m quite pleased with the squad and the depth we possess,” Alexandersson affirmed. “Although we may not be the tallest team physically, we’ve concentrated on defensive aggression and positioning.”

“We’ve prioritized engaging the opponent early rather than merely reacting. Through video analysis and training, the players have developed a better understanding. It’s about playing with courage, intelligence, and faith,” he added.

As the tournament approaches, the expectations within the camp remain grounded yet ambitious. The team conducted their first training session in Bangkok on Saturday, March 21.

“First and foremost, I expect complete commitment from the girls. We need to work diligently, fight for every duel, and maintain defensive discipline. We must trust the preparation we’ve undertaken and play with confidence, both with the ball and without it. If we can achieve that, I believe we have a solid chance in all three matches,” Alexandersson concluded.

Furthermore, Alexandersson had a message for the fans: “If there are Indian supporters in Thailand, it would mean a lot if they could come to the stadium and cheer for the team. Creating that atmosphere can significantly uplift the players. It would be fantastic to make it feel like a home ground for the girls,” the coach expressed.