Perth, March 3 (NationPress) After enduring four years of disappointment, the Indian senior women’s national team is set to kick off their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 journey against Vietnam at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Wednesday in Australia. This match marks the beginning of their campaign.

The Blue Tigresses' aspirations for a World Cup berth were dashed when they withdrew from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022. However, their impressive performance in last year’s qualifiers has granted them a fresh opportunity. This is the first time India has secured a place in the Asian Cup based on merit.

Amelia Valverde, recently appointed as head coach of the Indian women’s team, has moved past previous setbacks. “That was four years ago. Life has no coincidences, and we are back with a chance to showcase our skills. This is a new opportunity for us to represent our team effectively,” the Costa Rican coach stated, according to the AIFF.

The AFC Women's Asian Cup serves as a stepping stone for the 12 competing nations, with the four semifinalists earning a direct ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027. Additionally, two of the four quarterfinalists will compete for the remaining Asian qualifiers, while the other teams will enter the Play-off Tournament for a shot at the prestigious competition.

Ranked 67th in the FIFA standings, the Blue Tigresses have undergone a 52-day training camp across three continents in preparation for the Asian Cup.

Valverde mentioned, “We have put in significant effort over the past weeks, and the team’s motivation is high to achieve the best possible outcome for India.”

Beginning their camp in Gurugram before relocating to Antalya, Türkiye, the Blue Tigresses arrived in Perth three weeks ahead of the Asian Cup to acclimatize.

“Our preparations have been excellent so far. Being here for the last three weeks has greatly benefited the team,” Valverde noted. “We understand our responsibilities and aim to present our best selves on the pitch.”

Valverde expressed respect for their opponents Vietnam during the pre-match press conference. “They are a quality team, having participated in the last World Cup, and they have been under the same coach (Mai Đức Chung) for a long time, gaining valuable experience,” she said.

“We are fully aware of the challenge ahead. Our focus is to display the best version of the Indian team and show our commitment to compete and give our all,” she added.

India's captain, Sweety Devi Ngangbam, who faced the disappointment in 2022, shared her optimism for the Asian Cup. “We are well-prepared. The squad is focused on delivering our best performance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup,” she stated. “Arriving three weeks early was a wise decision from the federation, allowing us to adapt to the weather, and we are now ready for the challenges ahead.”

Vietnam’s head coach Mai Đức Chung maintained a cautious yet hopeful outlook regarding his team's prospects in Australia. “Our preparation has been solid, but we will be facing formidable opponents,” he said. “We must strive to match them. We are eager to showcase our efforts on the field tomorrow.”

“It’s hard to predict the outcome, but we are confident in our squad's readiness,” the Vietnamese coach concluded.

India finds itself in a challenging Group C, alongside former champions Japan and Chinese Taipei. The top two teams and the best third-placed team will advance to the quarterfinals.