Can India Maintain Their Winning Streak Against Timor Leste in AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers?

Chiang Mai (Thailand), June 28 (NationPress) Following an impressive victory on the opening day, the Indian senior women's team is eager to sustain their winning streak in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers as they prepare to face Timor Leste at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium this upcoming Sunday.

In the five-team Group B, Iraq currently leads with four points, thanks to a 5-2 win over Mongolia and a 0-0 draw against Timor Leste. Both India and Thailand trail closely with three points each after India's resounding 13-0 victory over Mongolia and Thailand's 4-0 win against Timor Leste.

Despite Timor Leste's 158th ranking, which is 32 places below Mongolia, Indian head coach Crispin Chettri anticipates a tougher challenge from the Southeast Asian team. After observing all teams during the initial two matchdays, a clearer understanding of the remaining opponents has emerged.

“Timor Leste is a more organized unit than Mongolia, and I believe they are defensively superior to Iraq as well. They like to execute counter-attacks and are comfortable maintaining possession. They have their strengths, but given Thailand's dominance, their offensive capabilities remain somewhat unclear,” Chettri stated.

Chettri and his coaching staff were present at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium on Thursday, where Timor Leste managed to hold the 46th-ranked Thailand to four goals.

India, ranked 70, has yet to face Timor Leste. Coached by Indonesian Emral bin Bustamam, Timor Leste has shown more activity in international football compared to Mongolia. They secured fourth place in the 2024 AFF Women's Cup, achieving draws against Laos and Singapore. Their victory over Singapore (2-1) in 2019 remains their only official win. The recent 0-0 draw with Iraq marked their first-ever point in an AFC competition.

Utilizing their five-day break, India focused on recovery and preparation for the demanding schedule ahead, which includes three matches within a week. The Blue Tigresses engaged in two morning training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, followed by two evening sessions on Friday and Saturday.

“In a tournament with four matches, this rest period is beneficial for team cohesion. Tactically, we addressed some areas for improvement from our first match. Our four training sessions have significantly aided our preparation for upcoming matches, particularly against specific teams,” Chettri remarked.

Wednesday was a rest day to allow players to recharge, a strategy Chettri believes is crucial between matches.

“Every coach has their perspective on managing their team. For me, recovery and taking a break from football at times is essential. During a high-pressure tournament with consecutive matches, stepping away can help players reset and return to training with renewed focus and effort. This mental break is vital for their performance as well,” concluded Chettri.