India to face stiff challenge from Japan, Australia, and Chinese Taipei in the AFC Under-20 group stage
India will be facing stiff challenges in the group stage of the AFC Under-20 Women’s football championship main draw from Japan, Australia, and Chinese Taipei. The final draw ceremony took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday. India is one of the 11 teams (eight group winners and three best-ranked runners-up) to make the cut for the tournament, joining host Thailand. The Joakim Alexanderrson-led side qualified for the tournament after topping its group ahead of Indonesia, Myanmar, and Turkmenistan in the qualifiers held in August. India will face a tough challenge from Japan, the last edition’s runner-up, and also a record six-time champion. It also won the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2018 and was runner-up in 2024. Meanwhile, Australia finished in third place in the 2024 edition of the U-20 Women’s Asian Cup, while Chinese Taipei was knocked out in the group stage. The competition is set to take place from 1st to 18th April next year.
Khalid says players’ ‘lack of concentration’ forces India to get out of contention for the Asian Cup final round
Khalid Jamil, the chief national coach, held the players’ ‘lack of concentration’ after India’s chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup finals next year were spoiled with a 1-2 defeat against Singapore at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Tuesday. India have been winless in four matches. Lallianzuala Chhangte gave India a lead in the 14th minute, unleashing a brilliant 25-yard right-footer from the middle. But Ui-Young Song’s double strike, courtesy India’s disjointed defensive organization, guided Singapore to the desired victory before facing Hong Kong in their next encounter. Singapore coach, while speaking to the official broadcaster of the match Jio Hotstar, admitted that India had an inspiring start, but that prevailed only for the first 25-30 minutes before they snatched the midfield possession from India. On the contrary, Khalid, in his post-match explanation to the Jio Hotstar, said, “Even after starting well in the second session, we conceded a silly goal due to lack of defenders’ concentration. Despite playing good football, we missed several chances. This was also the lack of players’ concentration in a crucial time.”
Exposure trip, especially playing against Iraq developed the players’ ‘self-belief’ says Moosa
Sudeep Pakrashi: A day before India’s under-23 men’s football team’s crucial tie against host Qatar in the ongoing under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, national coach Naushad Moosa seems to have gained the belief, saying, “Despite the fact we do not have any video footage of Qatar’s recent matches, we are prepared mentally. We need points from this match.” The blue colts have already started their campaign on a winning note, drubbing Bahrain 2-0. The emergence of a ‘new kid on the block’ like Mohammed Suhail, whose crafty goal against Bahrain has already drawn the attention of the legend in Indian football like IM Vijayan has also added the ‘self-belief’ among the other footballers. But the former Indian international and the experienced coach feels this self-belief was instilled into the footballers during the team’s exposure trip to Malaysia. “Playing against the stronger team, like Iraq, played a crucial role in generating the ‘self-belief’. We lost both the friendly matches against Iraq. But the footballers realized they al so could also fight even against a stronger team and deliver their best. The reflection was against Bahrain.” The blue colts have been deprived of three experienced footballers like Techam Abhishek Singh, Dipendu Biswas and Suhail Bhat as they were not released by Mohun Bagan Super Giants. Moosa did not seem perturbed. Rather he explained, “It is true that the team would have been stronger. But, the new boys who have been debutants with the national jersey like Mohammed Suhail’s performance have also been inspiring and looking forward to the feature these boys can asset of senior national team also. These boys might not have had chances of coming in the first eleven if the experienced MBSG footballers had joined the team. So I feel it has been a significant journey for these boys.”
Iran ensures a berth in the Women’s AFC Asian Cup finals, follows India and Bangladesh
Iran has booked the final ticket to the women’s Asian Cup, beating Jordan 2-1, with the cast now set for the 2026 tournament in Australia. Marziyeh Jafari’s side defied the odds with a victory in Amman on Saturday, ensuring it will be at the event in Perth, the Gold Coast, and Sydney from March 1-21. Defending champion China, Asian powerhouses Japan and South Korea, along with the host nation, all qualified automatically. Joining Iran in advancing through the qualifiers were India, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and North Korea. “It’s an incredibly exciting time for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 — the final 12 teams are locked in,” said local organising committee chief Sarah Walsh on Sunday. “There’s a real energy building, not just here in Australia but across Asia, and this diverse, high-quality line-up shows just how far women’s football has come.” The tournament draw will take place in Sydney on July 29.
Crispin Chhetri says Timor Leste more organized than Mongolia
After a record-breaking win in the campaign opener, the Indian senior women’s team will look to continue the winning momentum in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers when it takes on Timor Leste on Sunday at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. The five-team Group B is currently led by Iraq, which is on four points after a 5-2 victory over Mongolia and a 0-0 draw with Timor Leste. India, which beat Mongolia 13-0, and Thailand, which beat Timor Leste 4-0, are on three points each. Despite Timor Leste being ranked 158th, 32 places below Mongolia, Indian coach Crispin Chettri believed that the Southeast Asian side would pose a stronger challenge. Having watched all teams in action after the first two matchdays, there’s now a much clearer assessment of all the remaining three opponents. “Timor Leste are a better-organized team than Mongolia, and I feel they are better organized defensively than Iraq as well. They prefer going for counter-attacks. They don’t mind keeping the ball either. So, in patches, they are good. But as Thailand dominated the match completely, we can’t say much about their attack. But they have got pace in their team as well,” said Chettri.
Missed chances force 127th-ranked India to surrender to 157th-ranked Hong Kong! Parth Jindal raises his voice against the system
A 94th-minute spot-kick guided Hong Kong to a 1-0 win against India in their AFC Asian Cup qualifier at the Kai Tak Sports Park on Tuesday. Ashley Westwood’s team goes top of Group C with four points in two matches while India are languishing at the bottom of the table with two points from two matches. Manolo Marquez’s wait for his first competitive win with India continues. Hong Kong obtained the spot-kick after Vishal Kaith fouled Udebuluzor as both came to catch the ball, and the referee pointed to the spot. Pereira shoots low to Kaith’s right. Kaith goes the wrong way as the ball hits the inside of the net. Despite playing against strong home support, India were able to create some scoring opportunities in the first 45 minutes. But as usual, finishing let the Blue Tigers down. Both teams registered two shots on target in the first-half. The scenario in the second session was almost the same with India failing to utilize opportunities and struggling to defend opposition counter-attacks. Ashique Kuruniyan’s name should be mentioned in particular who squandered the golden sitter in the second half. Sunil Chhetri substituted Ashique Kuruniyan in the 56th minute but failed to impress. Significantly, founder of JSW Sports and owner of Bengaluru FC Parth Jindal, disappointed with the senior national team’s performance choose social media to express his frustration. He has written in his post, ‘This is completely unacceptable @Indianfootball-just not good enough under any circumstances – deep introspection needed by the AIFF – this is not what all of us lovers and backers of Indian football have spent our hard-earned money and effort to witness – get a manager and a system that works – it’s high time – there is too much effort to see a result like this. India’s experienced defender Sandesh Jinghan however still has hopes of qualifying for the Asian Cup! In a post-match media interaction, he said, “There are still four more matches. I have trust in this team. I believe in my boys and we will give our best and finally, if god wishes then we will be in the Asian Cup.”
Moosa happy with the exposure against stronger teams; Wants to scout I-League footballers also
Sudeep Pakrashi: Naushad Moosa thanks the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for organizing two preparatory matches for his Under-23 national team against two stronger teams. The Indian Under-23 national team will play against Tajikistan and Kyrghyz Republic on June 18th and 21st, respectively, at Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Moosa while speaking from Guwahati revealed, “Last time the national Under-23 boys had two preparatory matches against Malaysia under-23. We lost one and drew in other match. But this time, both teams, Tajikistan and Kyrghyz Republic are much stronger than us, and playing against them should benefit our boys a lot. Simultaneously, as a coach, I will also be able to make an assessment of the team’s strength.” Compared to the under-23 national side last year, Moosa who also was the chief coach of the under-23 national team, feels the 29 probables who have been called up in the two-week preparatory camp starting from 1st June in Kolkata, are more young and have potential in number compared to the team. “Most of the footballers who were playing in the ISL were in the under-23 national team last year. This year, potential but young footballers are more in number. A reason is there behind choosing these probales as our aim is to construct a formidable team before the under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers to be held later this year and the Asian Games next year in Japan. So it is a long-term plan to develop the young, potential footballers for the future,” added Moosa. The 53-year-old coach, who works with NorthEast United FC in the ISL, is also planning to observe the forthcoming Durand Cup with a purpose of scouting performers from the tournament. “I want to see the footballers from I-League teams also,” said Moosa. However, the coach believes that this time the preparation will be even more exciting, as it offers a unique opportunity to work closely with talented young footballers and help them unlock their full potential. With the right guidance and hard work, he’s confident these players will rise to the challenge.
