India Set to Continue AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers Dominance Against Iraq

As part of their campaign to maintain an unblemished record in Group B of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the Indian senior women's team is set to take on Iraq this Wednesday at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 14:30 IST. Fans can catch the action live on Changsuek's YouTube channel and the Thai Women's Football Facebook Page.

India currently leads the group with six points, boasting a goal difference of +17, following emphatic victories over Mongolia (13-0) and Timor-Leste (4-0). Trailing closely are Thailand, also with six points but a goal difference of +11. Meanwhile, Iraq stands on four points after three outings, in desperate need of a win to stay in the hunt for a spot in Australia. While the race to amass a superior goal difference before the final clash against Thailand on July 5 is underway, Blue Tigresses' coach Crispin Chettri emphasizes that securing three points against Iraq remains the pressing priority.

"Our full focus is now on Iraq," Chettri stated. "We cannot be sidetracked by thinking about how many goals Thailand or we have scored. A positive approach and securing the win in the Iraq match are paramount. This will bolster our confidence going into the match against Thailand with nine points under our belt," he added. Following Sunday's win over Timor-Leste, Chettri and his team observed Iraq being blanked 0-7 by the hosts, offering valuable insights ahead of the critical clash.

Chettri praised the Iraqi side, coached by former international Abdul-Wahab Abu Al-Hail, suggesting they might not be as weak as perceived despite being ranked 103 spots below India. Based on Iraq's dense schedule, India might find an upper hand in terms of recovery. "Despite having a similar level to Timor-Leste, Iraq offers us more chances to impose our game," Chettri remarked, hinting at the opportunity to experiment with new strategies.

With limited time to regroup post their match against Timor-Leste, the Indian squad capitalized on recovery sessions and comprehensive training, intending to address earlier match deficiencies. "We refined specific skills, be it in offense or defensive responsibilities," Chettri explained. Utilizing the majority of the 23-member squad, Chettri contemplates maintaining the rotation strategy in the upcoming Iraq game, albeit not undermining the significance of the match. "Our plan is to spread minutes among our younger players, while ensuring key participants receive ample playtime," Chettri said, underscoring the balance between experimentation and strategic consistency.

However, the team will miss winger Soumya Guguloth, ruled out due to a nasal fracture sustained against Timor-Leste. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)