What More Focus Does Crispin Chhetri Seek From Players as Women's Asian Cup Draws Near?

Chiang Mai (Thailand), June 30 (NationPress) Group B of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers has almost become a two-team contest after Matchday 3, with India and Thailand each securing six points, the Blue Tigresses currently holding the top position due to superior goal difference.

To qualify for Australia, only the group winners will earn their spot. So far, India has triumphed over Timor-Leste (4-0) and Mongolia (13-0), both of whom have now been eliminated. Meanwhile, Iraq, following a heavy 0-7 defeat against Thailand, stands on the edge of elimination. They must defeat India on July 2 to stay in contention, setting the stage for a decisive match between India and Thailand on July 5.

Until then, accumulating points and goals is crucial to maintain the lead, as a draw would suffice for qualification.

With a goal difference of +17, India leads, while Thailand sits at +11. Following India's match against Iraq on Wednesday afternoon, Thailand will face Mongolia later in the evening.

After India's win against Timor-Leste on Sunday, coach Crispin Chhetri expressed satisfaction with the three points but raised concerns about a sluggish start in the first half.

"Winning is always gratifying, but I believe we could have performed better in the first half. We need to maintain greater focus right from the beginning, rather than only excelling in the second half. Overall, I’m pleased with the outcome," he stated.

Of the 17 goals scored by India thus far, 12 have been netted in the second half. Despite the Blue Tigresses taking the lead early (8th minute against Mongolia and 12th minute against Timor-Leste), they have struggled to find their rhythm in the opening 45 minutes.

"The quicker we score, the sooner we can settle. I believe we are taking too long to find our pace. Analyzing our first halves, we’re not only missing opportunities, but we also seem slower in our reactions and follow-ups. This is a key area for improvement," Chhetri noted.

On a positive note, substitutes have made significant contributions. Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P., and Priyadharshini Selladurai have all scored after entering the match from the bench.

Chhetri's favorite goal from Sunday was the fourth, created by the substitute duo of Lynda and Grace Dangmei. Grace skillfully maneuvered past her defender before delivering a cutback from the by-line for Lynda to finish effortlessly. The 20-year-old celebrated her first competitive goal for India.

"We continuously experiment with different combinations. Last time, we paired Grace and Pyari. This time, we started with Anju and Pyari, then brought in Lynda and Grace in the second half. We need to be ready for every situation. I think the substitutes performed admirably. Anju returned from injury and managed to play 80 minutes, which is a positive sign," Chhetri remarked.

Similarly, Manisha Kalyan made her first appearance of the Qualifiers, scoring two goals, one in each half. The 23-year-old started for India for the first time since February, as Chhetri had limited her participation during the FIFA friendlies against Uzbekistan last month to allow her to rest after her season with Greek club PAOK.

"Manisha scored two fantastic goals," Chhetri acknowledged. "However, I believe she can still improve. She’s coming back after a break. She had a demanding season in Europe, where she plays as a full-back, while here she plays on the wing. She’s still adjusting. Overall, I think she performed quite well today."

After netting her 12th and 13th goals for the national team, Manisha stated, "It feels great to score for the team. This victory boosts our confidence for the upcoming two matches. We will give our all to qualify for the Asian Cup."

While India's winning streak continues, it wasn't a flawless day as Soumya Guguloth, the current AIFF Women's Player of the Year, sustained a nasal bone fracture after colliding with Timor-Leste defender Idalia Alves Belo in the 53rd minute. She was promptly taken to the hospital, underwent successful surgery on Sunday night, and was discharged the following morning to return to the team hotel for recovery.

"Soumya's absence is a significant loss. It’s an unfortunate setback for all of us. I hope she recovers quickly. For now, I believe we have sufficient bench strength to compensate for her absence," Chhetri concluded.