Can India Overcome Thailand to Secure a Spot in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026?

Chiang Mai (Thailand), July 4 (NationPress) After over two months of hard work and three victories in the group stage, India is set to face Thailand for a coveted spot in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 in Australia. The match will take place at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium on Saturday.

This encounter represents a chance to create a significant milestone. Historically, India has never qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup through the qualifiers. The last time the Blue Tigresses participated in the continent's premier event was in 2003, a time when qualifiers did not exist. In 2022, India was set to host the tournament but had to withdraw due to a COVID outbreak in the team. July 5 presents an opportunity to amend those setbacks, although the past challenges were beyond their control. The bigger aspiration remains to achieve the first-ever qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027, with the journey to Brazil leading through Australia.

"Securing qualification would be a tremendous boost for Indian football as a whole," stated coach Crispin Chettri. "We are currently navigating a tough phase, and the women's team qualifying would shine a beacon of hope. It would also catalyze the growth of women's football in India, inspiring more young athletes to pursue the sport professionally. For our current national team members, this is an opportunity to compete against Asia's finest teams, and possibly the world. Thus, I believe this would signify a substantial advancement for football in India."

Despite Thailand's higher rank of 46th, 24 places above India, the statistics show no disparity in their Qualifier performances thus far. Both teams have been impeccable. The Blue Tigresses triumphed over Mongolia 13-0, Timor Leste 4-0, and Iraq 5-0, while the Chabakaew also defeated the same teams with scores of 11-0, 4-0, and 7-0. This leaves both teams with an identical goal difference of +22, setting the stage for a decisive match. Only a win will suffice, and if they remain tied after 90 minutes, the pathway to Australia will be determined by penalties.

Chettri acknowledges the magnitude of this challenge but emphasizes the need to maintain their current mindset.

"We must keep the same mentality we've upheld throughout the tournament, from the Mongolia match to now. We haven't underestimated any team and have diligently prepared for every game. The same applies to Thailand. They are indeed a stronger team than the previous opponents and deserve our utmost respect. For us, it's about executing our plans that we've been refining for the last two months."

"Our intention is clear: we aim to conclude the match in 90 minutes. We're not heading into it thinking of penalties. Our preparation is to secure a victory in regulation time, and we will approach the game with that mindset from the outset. Being overly defensive or relying on penalties is not our strategy for this match."

"In certain instances, achieving qualification or winning championships necessitates maintaining clean sheets just as much as scoring. I am confident in our scoring capabilities, but if we uphold our defensive integrity against Thailand, I believe we can clinch the victory within 90 minutes," Chettri expressed.

Midfielders Anju Tamang and Sangita Basfore are familiar with the challenge posed by Thailand, having faced them at the Asian Games in China in 2023, where Thailand emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline.

"Thailand is a formidable team. Our previous encounter at the Asian Games was intense and competitive. They favor possession and quick, short passes. In this game, we need to fight hard and embody the right spirit to achieve the victory we desire," remarked Anju, who has contributed one goal and two assists in the Qualifiers thus far.

Coached by Futoshi Ikeda from Japan, Thailand aims for their tenth consecutive qualification for the AFC Women's Asian Cup. The Chabakaew have also participated in two FIFA Women's World Cups (2015 and 2019). Despite India's historical inability to defeat Thailand, Sangita believes that there is no better time than the present to change that.

"Although Thailand holds a higher rank, it doesn't imply we cannot overcome them. During our last encounter in the Asian Games, we were on the offensive, as were they, but a minor mistake led to our defeat. This time, our focus is solely on winning," stated Sangita, who scored the opening goals in the victories over Mongolia and Iraq.

"We missed the AFC Women's Asian Cup previously, and we are determined to rectify that. This isn't merely a match; it feels like a final. We have no other option but to win," she concluded.