Coach Alexandersson Implements Six Changes for Second Friendly After Dominating Maldives 14-0
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Bengaluru, Jan 1 (NationPress) As 2025 kicks off, the Indian senior women's football team is gearing up to take on Maldives in the second of two FIFA international friendlies at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence on Thursday. After a remarkable 14-0 victory in their first encounter on December 30, coach Joakim Alexandersson has opted for six changes in his 23-member squad for the upcoming match.
Among the six changes, five players - Pyari Xaxa, Lynda Kom Serto, Grace Dangmei, Juli Kishan, and Sanju - who all started in the initial match have been released. Notably, Lynda and Pyari had impressive performances, scoring four and three goals respectively. They will be replaced by newcomers Monisha Singha (striker), Anusha Mandala (midfielder), Thingbaijam Sanjita Devi (defender), Khumukcham Bhumika Chanu (midfielder), and Tamanna (defender), all drawn from the U20 camp that commenced on December 10 at The Sports School in Bengaluru. Additionally, goalkeeper Nandini has been substituted by Ribansi Jamu.
“The rationale behind these changes is that we felt we were a bit too strong for these opponents, so we decided to send back a few experienced players and replace them with younger talent who are making their debut in the senior squad. This will serve as a valuable experience for them,” stated Alexandersson.
In the first game, eight players earned their inaugural senior India caps, and more debut opportunities are anticipated for Thursday. This U20 camp has provided a platform for these players to secure a spot in the friendly matches, and Alexandersson has expressed satisfaction with the girls' eagerness evident in every training session.
“I witness their hunger. Their dedication in training sessions is commendable as they strive to earn a chance to represent the country,” he added.
Alexandersson emphasized the necessity of addressing mistakes, however minor, even after a significant victory. Such errors can often be overlooked, but they remain crucial for the Blue Tigresses to focus on.
“We need to enhance our defensive positioning and transitions. There were both positives and negatives from the last match. As a former player, I understand how easy it can be to neglect defensive duties when facing a much weaker team,” Alexandersson remarked.
“I also want to remind them of how effective we were with our positioning during build-ups, and it’s essential to recognize that we can still improve against a weaker opponent. We aim to incorporate aspects of our training into our style of play,” concluded Alexandersson.
