The Indian women’s football team has some big days ahead as they play in the group stage AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, starting January 20th. Being the hosts, India has been placed in Group A along with Iran, Chinese Taipei and China. While Iran is below India in the FIFA rankings, both Chinese Taipei and China are highly ranked.
Ahead of the opener, the coach Thomas Dennerby Talking to the media on Friday, he said that the team is going to play against three teams, which have different playing styles. While Iran is compact, Chinese Taipei is fluid and China plays the passing game.
Iran: This is a team that defends very well and has a striker who is always on the run. Dennerby said the Indian defenders would have to be on alert at all times as Iran could catch them on the counter through the striker. The Irani team is also good with set pieces and hence India has to be careful not to give unnecessary free kicks and corners. India would like to take control of the game while retaining their possession.
Chinese Taipei: India played him on 13 October last year and won 1-0 with a goal from Renu. Dennerby thinks it will be an open game as the teams have played each other lately. The coach said that his team can try it.
China: China plays with a lot of short passes and will be India’s toughest opponent. Dennerby, however, said that China is not at the level it was two years ago and the Indian team will go into the field with a target of victory.
Dennerby announced that all members of the team have tested negative for COVID-19. There are no injury concerns within the squad and all 23 players will be available for selection for their tournament opener against Iran.
The Indian team played in a friendly tournament in Brazil in November last year and coach Dennerby feels the intensity and frequency of matches prepared the girls for the rigors of the Asian Cup.
“Your fitness level has to be high so that you can come into each game completely focused and with 100 percent energy,” he said. He said that some of his players played well for long periods but lost focus for a moment and could very well be punished for it.
“Now everyone understands the importance of staying focused for 90 to 95 minutes, whatever it is, that is the most important. We defend well for long runs but the last two games in Brazil told us that we need to work on our attacking game and be a little more confident with the ball. Hopefully we can get comfortable with the ball and build up the game.”
Over the past few months, Dennerby has made the team more compact and developed its understanding of space and positioning. Dennerby has also experimented with the Back 5, which was very unusual for a women’s team. He did not have a natural pawn and hence, used Sanju Yadav in that position.
Dennerby explained that his experiments were intended not only to try but to develop a good picture of how they would play the game. “When you go for such a big tournament, you can unfortunately get hurt, then you all the players need to be ready, which is why we have made changes. We have a good picture before the first game.”
“We have different types of players and it is good for the team. When you play the game, you need to be fit and fast and the more runs you can score, the better options you have to score.”
focused and ready
In more than 200 seasons over the past five months or so, Coach Dennerby has focused on football, strength and sportsmanship. They have played against tough teams and teams with a defensive style.
“Ultimately we think we are really well prepared now. We have developed a lot since we started and hopefully we will see that in the Games.”
The Indian team is missing two important players in the form of defensive midfielder Sangeeta Basfour and striker Bala Devi, but Dennerby said it is sad for individuals but he will focus his energies on the players in the team and on them. I’ll keep my trust.
“Our first goal is to make the quarter-finals. If we get to the quarter-finals, it’s anyone’s game. At that time everyone plays under pressure. We don’t talk much about the first step going forward but of course the quarter-finals are our target and I think it’s realistic.”
Captain Ashalata Devi is responsible for marshaling the team, who has an average age of 23.13 and said that on and off the field, she tries to guide the players and practice with them all and show them how to become professional. Huh.
Ashalata said that while there is always pressure, playing in the Asian Cup was a dream for all players and she wants to see if everyone can do their best.
“When I was a junior and came into the senior team, there were players like Bembem (Devi) Di, Tababi (Devi) Di, Bala (Devi) Di. Whenever I had any problem, I would share with them and try to understand them. Now, I try to do the same with the youth of my team. I try to talk to him and explain many things to him.”
On the other hand, 16-year-old Shilki Devi was happy to experience the Asian Cup with the senior team and learn a lot.
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