Head Coach Alexandersson Predicts India Will Prevail Against Maldives

Bengaluru, Dec 29 (NationPress) The Indian senior women's squad will clash with Maldives in the initial match of two FIFA International Friendlies on Monday at the Padukone - Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence. Head coach Joakim Alexandersson is optimistic that his team will emerge as the dominant force.

The Swedish coach, who has been overseeing the India U20s training camp in Bengaluru since December 10, is set to lead the Blue Tigresses. A total of 17 players, including several senior internationals, have joined the camp for these friendly encounters, following which Alexandersson revealed the 23-member squad.

The 48-year-old has adapted well to life in Bengaluru and is looking forward to his debut match as India's coach. "I've been in Bengaluru for almost three weeks now. I'm beginning to feel at home here. I really enjoy it. The Sports School provides excellent facilities for our football sessions. The girls are accommodated close to the training ground, so everything is favorable. We've had four training sessions so far with the senior players joining us as well."

This squad features a mix of youthful talent, with 14 out of the 23 players poised to earn their first senior caps for India. With seasoned players like Grace Dangmei, Sangita Basfore, Sanju Yadav, Pyari Xaxa, and Ranjana Chanu in the lineup, it's an excellent opportunity for the U20 players to learn from their idols.

"I believe the younger players have gained valuable insights during these three weeks, as many may not have had much training with their home clubs. They have been lacking in tactical knowledge and understanding of football principles, so improvements are necessary. There are varying levels of experience among the players, with some being more advanced than others," Alexandersson stated.

India currently holds the 69th position in the FIFA World Rankings, while Maldives is ranked 163rd. Although Alexandersson anticipates a commanding performance from the Blue Tigresses, he is eager to give the young players their first taste of international competition. During the SAFF Championship in October, Maldives finished last in their group, losing 0-1 to Sri Lanka, 0-11 to Nepal, and 0-13 to Bhutan. Historically, India and Maldives have faced each other six times, with India winning five matches (scoring 43 goals and conceding none) and drawing once. Their most recent clash was in the 2022 SAFF Championship, where India triumphed 9-0, featuring a brace from Grace.

"First and foremost, I definitely want to win the game," Alexandersson remarked. "We have been refining some aspects in the past few days, including the input from the senior players, and we aim to implement those strategies. It’s crucial to focus on how the team functions technically and understand their roles on the field."

"We analyzed Maldives' performance in the SAFF Championship a few months back. They are not the strongest opponents. I am confident we will dominate the match. Additionally, we can afford to be a bit more patient with the ball, rather than launching attacks continuously—this could create more space for us to advance forward."

Alexandersson observed some senior players during the recent Senior Women's National Football Championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy, where Manipur secured the title by defeating Odisha in the final on December 23. Others have joined the squad from their respective IWL clubs, where they had been training during the pre-season. Alexandersson also noted that the Bengaluru climate is favorable for the players.

"I watched the national championship matches and have now seen the players in person during training sessions here. While I can't claim to know them intimately, I am beginning to form an understanding of their capabilities."

"The weather in Bengaluru is fantastic. It feels like experiencing all four seasons in a single day. The training facilities are excellent, and the environment is calm, making it an ideal location for developing young talent."

On the other hand, Maldives head coach Mohamed Nizam mentioned, "The team has been preparing for the match against India for the past 10 days. Currently, we lack a local league, but we hope it will commence soon. The players are only training in the national camp," he concluded.