Is the Indian Women's Team Prepared for Round Two Against Uzbekistan?

Bengaluru, June 2 (NationPress) After their 0-1 setback against Uzbekistan in the first match of the two FIFA Women’s International Friendlies, the senior Indian women’s national team has regrouped and is now preparing for the second round against the White Wolves.

The Blue Tigresses will meet Uzbekistan for the second friendly at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru on Tuesday (June 3), with the kick-off scheduled for 16:30 IST. The match will be available for live streaming on the Indian Football YouTube channel.

India's head coach Crispin Chettri provided debuts to three players in the initial match (Manisha Naik, Malavika P., and Priyadharshini Selladurai), and he aims to continue this experimental approach in the upcoming match.

“These matches serve as a valuable experiment for us. It’s crucial to give new players opportunities and gauge their mindset at this level,” Chettri remarked. “We might consider a few modifications in our system, but our core philosophy will stay intact.

“We need to keep our composure and not just kick the ball and expect results,” he added.

On the eve of the match, Chettri praised the Indian team’s opponents. “They are quite proficient both physically and technically. Their players are well aware of their responsibilities and excel in set-pieces, whether it’s corners, free-kicks, or throw-ins.”

“We can’t implement too many changes in such a brief period, but we’ve worked on improving certain areas,” he noted.

Midfielder Sangita Basfore believes the Blue Tigresses are ready for the challenge. “We were disappointed after the last game because we knew we could win. But we’ve learned valuable lessons, and the team is determined not to make the same mistakes again,” Sangita stated.

“I personally feel mentally refreshed and prepared for the next challenge. I’m confident in our ability to set up and perform better in the next game,” she added.

Uzbekistan’s head coach Kotryna Kulbytė expressed satisfaction with the training routines that manifested in the first match. “A victory is a victory. Every win must be earned on the pitch, and I genuinely believe our players deserved this one. It was gratifying to see some of the tactical movements we practiced come to fruition in the match. Naturally, there are still areas for improvement, but that’s part of the process,” she said.

Kulbytė commended the Blue Tigresses for assembling a strong team, despite their ongoing transition. “They have numerous young players with immense potential. You can see a new generation emerging with considerable talent,” she commented. “They are particularly effective when transitioning to attack. Their counter-attacking style is quick and sharp.”

Uzbekistan forward Lyudmila Karachik expressed enthusiasm for the chance to compete against quality opponents. “This is an excellent opportunity to challenge myself. These matches often introduce a different rhythm and require quicker decision-making. The pace is faster, the physicality is different, and small errors are quickly punished. Thus, it’s always a valuable experience,” she said.