Can India use International Women’s Tournament to prepare for Asian Cup? | OneFootball

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·9 November 2021

Can India use International Women’s Tournament to prepare for Asian Cup?

Article image:Can India use International Women’s Tournament to prepare for Asian Cup?

On November 7th, Seleço Feminina de Futebol announced an International Women’s Football Tournament that will take place in Manaus, Brazil.

The event will take place between November 25th and December 1st, 2021. The teams participating in this tournament along with Brazil are Chile, Venezuela and India.


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There is the opportunity to prepare in South America before the AFC Asian Cup begins. Will India use this opportunity well?

With the AFC Asian Cup approaching in January 2022, India’s performances against the South American teams are crucial. The pandemic has prohibited the team from training frequently or playing friendlies, causing decreased preparations for the upcoming tournament.

The AFC Asian Cup is important because the top five nations advance to the 2023 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

With a chance to compete in the World Cup on the line, the team is under increased pressure and responsibility to do well in the Asian competition. It would be the first time the team would qualify.

AIFF Plans More Games?

The exact date of the team’s departure is still being worked out. Still, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) hopes to schedule different games, including a four-nation tournament in India in December.

“It is our goal to provide our team with the greatest possible preparation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022.  After the matches in Brazil, we hope to organise a four-nation competition in India in December.”AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das to News18.com

Thomas Dennerby stated shortly after his appointment as head coach that he wants his team to play as many international matches as possible before the Asian Cup. He said that he desired 25 games, but India may not meet the goal given the Covid-19 circumstances, which make arranging friendlies difficult.

The Blue Tigresses played four international friendlies. These were the results:

UAE 1-4 India

India 0-1 Tunisia

Bahrain 0-5 India

India 1-0 Chinese Taipei.

The Indian team’s confidence has been boosted by its victory over Chinese Taipei, who will meet them in the Asian Cup group round.

In addition, the team played two friendlies against Hammarby IF and Djurgrden of the Damallsvenskan. Although they lost by a slim margin, these games helped the team gain confidence.

These were the results of the club friendlies:

Hammarby IF 3-2 India

Djurgardens IF 1-0 India.

“The national team and International Relations departments are constantly communicating with various Member Associations.”AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das to News18.com

Preparation for the Asian Cup

The Asian Cup draw did not favour Team India, who will face some difficult group-round opponents. The South American event will only serve to aid the team’s preparation for the Asian Cup.

This decision is a step in the right direction after fans chastised the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for failing to offer updates and organise friendly matches for the team.

In these games, the Blue Tigresses will examine their weaknesses by competing against tough teams and facing one of the world’s best goalkeepers in Christiane Endler of Chile. It also provides information to coach Thomas Dennerby, making critical tactical changes as he prepares for the Asian Cup.

It’ll be interesting to observe how India do in these games.

Action Begins

The International Women’s Football Tournament will kick off on November 25th, 2021. More information regarding the broadcast may be obtained on the Seleço Feminina de Futebol’s Twitter feed as its details have not been confirmed.

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