Indian Women's Football Team Makes History with AFC Qualification
Historic Victory for the Blue Tigresses
Guwahati, Aug 13: On July 5, the Indian women's football team faced a pivotal moment at the Chiang Mai Stadium, celebrating its 700th anniversary. They were up against a formidable Thailand team, cheered on by a passionate home crowd. For the Blue Tigresses, this match was crucial in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifier.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, yet the players remained undaunted.
Forward Dangmei Grace shared her thoughts from a pre-match team meeting, stating, “We have played football for years, but this was a rare opportunity to create history. We couldn’t let it slip away.”
And they seized the moment. Against all odds, India triumphed over Thailand with a score of 2-1, securing their spot in the 2026 continental tournament in Australia. This victory marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time India qualified through a successful campaign. Their last participation in 2003 was without qualifiers, and in 2022, they withdrew due to a COVID outbreak after qualifying as hosts.
“We approached this as if it were the final game of our lives, and we had to win. We fought together as a team,” Dangmei reflected.
The journey to qualification was impressive, starting with a staggering 13-0 victory against Mongolia, followed by wins of 4-0 against Timor-Leste, 5-0 over Iraq, and culminating in the historic win against Thailand, where Sangita Basfore netted both goals.
Bangladesh's qualification the previous day inspired the Indian squad. “The night before, we discussed in my room – if Bangladesh, a lower-ranked team, could qualify, why couldn’t we? It became a matter of pride,” said Dangmei, who hails from Churachandpur, Manipur.
For her, this achievement transcends mere qualification. “This is a monumental moment for Indian women’s football. It demonstrates to the younger generation that we can achieve great things despite limited resources and sponsorships. It lays the groundwork for the future,” she emphasized.
However, there is no time for complacency. The next goal is the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, where six teams will qualify directly from the Asian Cup, with two additional spots available through inter-confederation play-offs.
At 29 years old and with 90 caps, Dangmei serves as one of the senior figures in the team. Having played abroad with FC Sevinch in Uzbekistan, she understands the importance of competitive play. “The Indian Women’s League has been beneficial, but we need longer seasons and more tournaments, similar to what the men have. I even suggested to the organizers during the Durand Cup inauguration in Imphal – why not have a women’s Durand Cup?”
Her conviction is strong – the more they compete, the more they will improve. During the off-season, the players support each other through their WhatsApp group. “We encourage one another to focus on fitness and rehabilitation. Anju (Tamang) recently messaged, ‘Let’s not waste a single day… we must be ready to take on higher-ranked teams.’ That’s the spirit we aim to maintain,” she added.
For Dangmei and the Blue Tigresses, they have made history. Yet, in their hearts, they know the real journey is just beginning.