Manavgat (Turkiye), Feb 24 (NationPress) After securing victories in their initial two matches of the Pink Ladies U20 Youth Cup, the Indian U20 women's team is set to face Russia in their concluding friendly match at the Emirhan Sports Centre on Tuesday.

On Saturday, the Young Tigresses achieved a hard-fought 1-0 victory against a Hong Kong squad that featured 14 players over the age of 20, including numerous senior team members. India also triumphed 2-1 against Jordan U20 last week.

Reflecting on the match against Hong Kong, head coach Joakim Alexandersson stated, "The first half was commendable, with solid possession and pressing. However, our build-ups and positioning faltered in the second half. Nonetheless, we maintained our fighting spirit until the final whistle."

After Sibani Devi put India ahead, the more seasoned Hong Kong team ramped up the pressure in search of an equaliser, resulting in several tense moments for the Young Tigresses' defence. However, they valiantly preserved their clean sheet. India has yet to concede a goal in open play during their time in Turkiye.

Alexandersson expressed dissatisfaction with the team's build-up quality, noting, "We lost possession too easily due to limited movement on and off the ball. This was a significant factor in our defensive struggles in the second half. Our counterattacks were also too slow. We must enhance this aspect against a formidable Russian team."

Despite these concerns, the coach highlighted several positives from the first two matches, particularly regarding defensive organization, which will be vital against a Russian team that scored nine goals against Jordan in their latest game.

"I appreciate our strong defensive structure. Opponents have found it challenging to generate significant chances against us. While we have conceded some opportunities, they were largely due to individual errors that need addressing. Our pressing in a high block has been effective, aided by good timing and communication," he added.

A physically dominant, taller, and faster Russian team poses the most significant challenge for India on this tour. While Alexandersson acknowledges the extensive work required defensively, transitioning to attack will also be crucial as scoring chances may be limited.

"We will approach Russia with our strategy, aiming to press them in a high block at times. However, maintaining structure in both the middle and low blocks is essential. We must be aggressive and resilient in challenges, aiming to deliver quality passes and provide swift support to exploit their weaknesses. Transitions will be pivotal in this match," the coach concluded.