India women's football team loses 0-4 to Russia in Kolkata friendly
Synopsis
India's new-look women's football side were beaten 0-4 by Russia in Kolkata, but coach Crispin Chettri's focus is firmly on the bigger picture — building an experienced pool for the 2029 AFC Women's Asian Cup. A heavy defeat, yet framed as a foundation-laying exercise for a squad that showed fight before Russia's second-half onslaught.
Key Takeaways
India's women's football team lost 0-4 to Russia in a friendly at Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on 9 October 2026 .
Goals came from Iana Sheina (40'), substitute Kira Petukhova (60', 65'), and Iana Svistunova (81').
Coach Crispin Chettri highlighted character and pressing ability as positives despite the result.
India had not played competitive football since June , contrasting with Russia's mid-season sharpness.
The second friendly against Russia is scheduled for 11 October at the same venue.
The 2029 AFC Women's Asian Cup is identified as India's primary medium-term development target.
India's women's national football team suffered a 0-4 defeat against Russia in the first of two international friendly matches held at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on 9 October 2026, with Head Coach Crispin Chettri backing his young squad to absorb the lessons and continue building towards long-term targets.
How the Match Unfolded
Iana Sheina broke the deadlock with a moment of individual brilliance in the 40th minute, giving Russia the lead going into the break. Substitute Kira Petukhova then doubled the advantage in the 60th minute and added a third just five minutes later in the 65th minute. Iana Svistunova completed the scoring in the 81st minute, as Russia's sustained pressure gradually wore down the Blue Tigresses in the second half.
Chettri's Assessment
Despite the scoreline, Chettri expressed satisfaction with the character his players demonstrated, particularly during the opening stages of the contest. 'I think the positive of this match is, although being a young side, we showed character. We are not scared to press; we are not scared to run. We try to do things which are in our control,' the head coach said at the post-match press conference.
He also pointed to the commitment shown by the players throughout a 25-day training camp leading up to the fixture, highlighting their efforts in dealing with Russia's physicality and set-piece threats. 'The most important thing is we showed character, we didn't give up. So that's the best thing for me,' Chettri added.
Context and Challenges
Chettri acknowledged that India's lack of competitive football since June was a significant factor, especially against a Russian side that was mid-way through its domestic league season and consequently sharper in match rhythm. This structural disadvantage in preparation, a recurring challenge for Indian women's football, made the result unsurprising even as it remained a steep learning experience for the new-look squad.
Notably, this friendly series represents part of India's broader effort to test emerging talent against stronger international opposition ahead of future qualification campaigns.
What Comes Next
The second friendly against Russia is scheduled for 11 October at the same venue. Chettri revealed that the team will focus on sustaining their pressing intensity over longer periods, while providing further playing time to the younger players who were introduced in the latter stages of Thursday's match. Looking further ahead, the coach underscored that expanding India's pool of internationally experienced players remains the central objective, with the 2029 AFC Women's Asian Cup firmly in sight as the team's primary medium-term target.
Point of View
But context matters: India fielded a new-look squad against a team mid-way through its competitive season, and the gap in match readiness was always going to show. The more pressing question is structural — Indian women's football continues to rely on periodic international friendlies to provide the competitive exposure that a robust domestic league would otherwise deliver. Chettri's 25-day camp and a two-match Russia series are positive steps, but they cannot substitute for consistent high-level game time. If the 2029 AFC Women's Asian Cup is a genuine target, the federation will need to commit to a more sustained competitive calendar, not just pre-tournament camps.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of India vs Russia women's football friendly on 9 October?
India's women's national football team lost 0-4 to Russia in the first international friendly at Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on 9 October 2026 . Russia scored through Iana Sheina, Kira Petukhova (twice), and Iana Svistunova.
Who is Crispin Chettri and what did he say after the match?
Crispin Chettri is the Head Coach of India's women's national football team. After the 0-4 defeat, he highlighted his squad's character and willingness to press, stating 'we showed character, we didn't give up' despite the result against a more match-ready Russian side.
When is the second India vs Russia women's football friendly?
The second international friendly between India and Russia is scheduled for 11 October 2026 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. Chettri has indicated he will focus on improving sustained pressing intensity and giving more youngsters game time.
What is India's long-term football target mentioned by coach Chettri?
Coach Crispin Chettri identified the 2029 AFC Women's Asian Cup as India's primary medium-term target. Developing a wider pool of internationally experienced players is central to the team's strategy heading into that qualifying cycle.
Why did India struggle against Russia in the friendly?
India had not played competitive football since June 2026 , while Russia was in the middle of its domestic league season and considerably sharper in match rhythm. Coach Chettri acknowledged this preparation gap as a key factor in the result.
