India Women's Football Team Confident Ahead of AFC Asian Cup, Eyes World Cup Qualification
Panaji: The Indian women's national football team has emphatically rejected any notion that they are merely participants at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia. Star midfielder Sangita Basfore, in an exclusive video interview from Perth, declared that the team has never felt like they are just making up the numbers in the prestigious tournament.
"Not even once," emphasized Basfore, who has earned 72 caps for the national team. "In all our conversations, particularly around dinner tables, we speak with confidence about how we belong here. We know we can qualify."
Road to the Asian Cup and World Cup Ambitions
Basfore played a pivotal role in India's qualification journey, scoring a crucial double strike against Thailand in the decisive match that secured their spot in the Asian Cup. This victory against former World Cup participants on home soil was a significant achievement, but the team's ambitions extend far beyond continental competition.
The ultimate goal for the Indian women's football team is to qualify for next year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil. While this might appear ambitious at first glance, the tournament structure offers genuine opportunities. With twelve teams competing in the Asian Cup, eight could potentially secure World Cup berths.
The qualification pathway is clear:
- The four quarter-final winners qualify automatically for the World Cup
- The losing quarterfinalists enter play-offs for two remaining direct Asian spots
- The two play-off losers get another chance through the Play-off tournament
Confidence Ahead of Crucial Opener
Basfore expressed unwavering belief in her team's capabilities despite facing higher-ranked opponents. "We have never felt like we are not capable of doing it. There is growing confidence within the team," she stated. "We can get good results, but much will depend on our opener against Vietnam. We know Vietnam are ahead of us in rankings, but we don't feel inferior."
The midfielder emphasized the importance of the opening match, describing it as potentially the most significant game of her career. "Personally, for me, the opening game will be the most important one of my career. I have to give my best," she affirmed.
Extensive Preparation and Team Cohesion
India has benefited from an unusually long preparation period, with the team training together for 45 days before the tournament. This included a training camp in Turkiye followed by acclimatization in Australia, where they adjusted from winter conditions to warmer Australian weather.
Basfore highlighted the value of this extended preparation time: "Whatever time we had together, it was good. We needed this, and friendlies too, so that our preparations are thorough. We had good time to know each other, work out combinations."
The team has specifically prepared for the tournament format with short breaks between matches, ensuring they are ready for the physical and tactical challenges ahead. "Games with short breaks has helped us prepare for the challenges ahead," Basfore explained.
Reflecting on the team's journey and aspirations, she added: "We have trained for so many years, dreaming about the World Cup. Now we are close, and we have to take it forward as a team."
The Indian women's football team enters the AFC Asian Cup with clear objectives, thorough preparation, and the confidence that they can compete with Asia's best teams while pursuing their World Cup qualification dreams.
