Indian women’s football team to play friendlies vs Uzbekistan, Belarus in April
The international matches have been lined up to prepare the Indian team for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup which will be held in India next year.
The Indian women’s football team will be sending a 23-member squad to Uzbekistan early next month to play two international friendly matches.
The Indian girls, who have been camping in Goa since December, will face Uzbekistan and Belarus on April 5 and 8, respectively.
The matches in Uzbekistan have been scheduled to prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup to be held in India in 2022.
“After the pandemic, we have been in camp for almost four months now, and the team is really gelling well together,” head coach Maymol Rocky told the All India Football Federation (AIFF) website.
“Both Uzbekistan and Belarus are strong sides, and will provide ample challenge to the girls in the two friendlies,” said Rocky.
The Uzbekistan women’s football team is ranked 41st in the world while Belarus is placed 56. India are 53rd.
This will be the second time the Indian eves will be travelling this year. In February, they toured Turkey, where they played Russia, Serbia and Ukraine in friendlies. India lost all three matches.
India last played friendlies against Uzbekistan in 2019. They lost 5-1 in the first match and drew the next 1-1.
Indian women’s football team squad for Uzbekistan
Goalkeepers: Aditi Chauhan, Sowmiya Narayansamy, M Linthoingambi Devi
Defenders: Jabamani Tudu, Ashalata Devi, Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Ranjana Chanu, W Linthoingambi Devi, Kritina Devi, Anju Tamang
Midfielders: Indumathi Kathiresan, Manisha, Sangita Basfore, Martina Thokchom, Pyari Xaxa, Dangmei Grace, Soumya Guguloth
Forwards: Renu, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Sumati Kumari, Heigrujam Daya Devi
Indian women’s football team fixtures in Uzbekistan
Monday, April 5: Uzbekistan vs India
Thursday, April 8: India vs Belarus