The India U20 women’s team, under head coach Joakim Alexandersson, has shown significant progress since qualifying for the Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Thailand. Despite being grouped with strong Asian teams, the squad remains unfazed by the challenge. Arriving in Bangkok ahead of schedule, the team aims to acclimatize, with conditions similar to those in Kolkata.
India’s preparation has been diverse, including high-intensity friendlies in different locations. Matches against Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan provided varied tests, aiding the team’s tactical growth. The team’s pivotal training camp in Sweden enhanced their football skills, exposing them to new challenges and experiences.
Coach Alexandersson emphasized the value of the training camp in Sweden, highlighting the facilities and training quality. Despite facing tough opponents, including a 0-6 loss to Hammarby IF, the team displayed resilience and improvement in subsequent matches. The focus on defensive structure and attacking movements has been fruitful, with progress evident in creating scoring opportunities.
With upcoming matches against Japan, Australia, and Chinese Taipei in Group C, India faces a tough road to the quarter-finals. Coach Alexandersson acknowledges the strength of their opponents but stresses the importance of playing confidently and expressing themselves on the field. The team’s development since qualification has been notable across various aspects of the game.
While acknowledging physical differences with opponents, India’s team emphasizes tactical discipline, aggression, and intelligence as strengths. Coach Alexandersson is content with the squad’s depth and defensive improvements, emphasizing early engagement with opponents. As the tournament nears, the team’s expectations are realistic yet ambitious, focusing on commitment, hard work, and disciplined play.
