Blue Tigresses Head Coach Vows to Fight Until End India’s women’s football team, the Blue Tigresses, face their final group stage match against Chinese Taipei in a bid to secure a spot in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 quarter-finals. Despite setbacks in previous games, including a 1-2 loss to Vietnam and a 0-11 defeat to Japan, the team remains hopeful of advancing. The outcome of their upcoming match, along with results from other group fixtures, will determine their path forward. The Blue Tigresses’ fate hinges on two key scenarios. If Japan defeats Vietnam in their simultaneous match on March 10, 2026, India must win by more than a goal to qualify. Alternatively, a win against Chinese Taipei, regardless of the margin, could secure second place in Group C, provided Japan’s game against Vietnam ends in a draw. Even a 1-0 victory might suffice if the Group B clash between Uzbekistan and Bangladesh concludes without a winner. The team has relocated from Perth to Sydney, where they will take on Chinese Taipei at the Western Sydney Stadium on March 10. Japan’s match against Vietnam will be held at the Perth Rectangular Stadium at the same time. Both games will be broadcast live on FanCode. India’s squad departed Perth on Sunday, arriving in New South Wales in the evening. On Monday, they will conduct an official training session before visiting the stadium to acclimate themselves to the venue. Head coach Amelia Valverde emphasized the importance of maintaining a “do-or-die” mindset as the team prepares for the decisive encounter. She acknowledged the team’s potential to improve from their recent performance against Japan, stating, “As long as we still have a chance, and we know we do, we will fight until the very end.#afc_women_s_asian_cup #amelia_valverde #chinese_taipei #blue_tigresses #sangita_basfore
Australia has granted temporary visas to five members of Iran’s women’s national football team following their request for asylum during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The players, who had fled the country after refusing to sing the national anthem, reportedly feared persecution upon returning to Iran. They were labeled “wartime traitors” by authorities, a designation that has led to heightened risks for those who oppose state narratives. Australian officials have relocated the athletes to a secure location, while offering the remaining members of the team the option to remain in the country. The situation has sparked international concern, with U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reportedly engaging in discussions about the case. The players’ decision to seek asylum highlights the growing tensions between Iran’s government and its female athletes, who have faced increasing pressure to conform to state-sanctioned cultural and political expectations. The incident has also drawn attention to the broader challenges faced by women in Iranian sports, where participation is often restricted by strict societal norms and government policies. The AFC Women’s Asian Cup, held in 2026, saw the Iranian team face significant scrutiny amid reports of harassment and intimidation directed at female players. The five athletes who fled the country were reportedly subjected to threats and public condemnation for their refusal to perform the national anthem, a gesture that has become a symbol of resistance against perceived authoritarianism. Australian authorities have emphasized that the visas were granted to ensure the safety of the players, who remain in a protected environment while their legal status is reviewed.#iran #australia #donald_trump #afc_women_s_asian_cup #anthony_albanese
India vs Japan at AFC Women's Asian Cup: Can India test continent's Goliath? India faces a daunting challenge as it prepares to take on Japan in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, a match that could define its tournament prospects. The encounter, set for March 7, 2025, at Perth Rectangular Stadium, marks the second group game for India after a last-minute loss to Vietnam. Japan, the tournament favorites, enter the clash with a strong record, having defeated Chinese Taipei 2-0 in their opener. However, the scoreline fails to capture the extent of Japan’s dominance, as the team controlled possession and created numerous scoring chances against their opponents. The gap between the two teams is stark, both in rankings and performance. Japan’s 59-point lead in the world rankings underscores the task India faces. Historically, Japan has overwhelmed India in previous meetings, with victories of 6-0 and 1-0. While the 1999 result—a 1-0 win—offers India a glimmer of hope, the team must aim to keep the match tight and capitalize on counterattacks. India’s coach, Amelia Valverde, emphasized the need for resilience, noting that the squad is physically drained from their previous match. “We need to prepare our own game and aim to put on a strong performance,” she said, highlighting the importance of maintaining competitiveness. Japan’s strategy against India is expected to focus on maintaining possession and pressuring the Indian defense. In their opener, Japan made 87 entries into the penalty box, a statistic that reflects their attacking intent. The team’s ability to dominate space, as evidenced by their 89.5% possession and 30 shots on goal against Chinese Taipei, suggests they will look to replicate that pressure.#japan #india #afc_women_s_asian_cup #perth_rectangular_stadium #amelia_valverde
AFC Women's Asian Cup: Vietnam strike late to down India in opener, as it happened Vietnam secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over India in the opening match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with Ngan Thi Van Su scoring both goals. The Vietnamese team dominated the first half, capitalizing on a series of chances created by their fluid 5-4-1 formation. Van Su opened the scoring on the half-hour mark, showcasing her composure by curling a low shot past India’s goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu. The goal came after a precise through ball from Thai Thi Thao, which allowed Van Su to run onto the ball and deliver a clinical finish. Her performance was complemented by striker Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, whose blindside runs frequently stretched India’s defense. India, however, made tactical adjustments at halftime, introducing young talents Sanfida Nongrum and Rimpa Haldar. The substitutions appeared to invigorate the Indian side, as they began to exert more pressure in the second half. Rimpa’s aggressive pressing led to a defensive error in the 52nd minute, allowing Sanfida to calmly lift the ball over Vietnam’s keeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh and equalize. The goal shifted momentum, but Vietnam quickly regained control, launching a sustained attack in the final 15 minutes. The decisive moment arrived in the 85th minute when substitute Vu Thi Hoa cut inside on the left flank, delivering a cross to Van Su. The forward, under intense pressure, met the ball with a left-footed finish to restore Vietnam’s lead. The victory underscored Vietnam’s resilience and tactical discipline, despite India’s spirited second-half efforts. The match highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament, with both teams showcasing their strengths and adaptability.#afc_women_s_asian_cup #sanfida_nongrum #ngan_thi_van_su #thai_thi_thao #nguyen_thi_bich_thuy
India vs Vietnam at AFC Women's Asian Cup: Sweety Devi and co. eye positive start in tough fixture India and Vietnam kick off their 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaigns in a high-stakes encounter at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on March 4, 2025. The match, set for a 4:30 PM IST kickoff (6 PM Vietnam time, 7 PM AWST), will be broadcast live on FanCode in India. Both teams face immense pressure to secure a positive result, as they aim to establish themselves in Group C, a group dominated by Japan, the reigning Asian Cup champions and 2011 World Cup winners. Japan’s clash against Chinese Taipei in the same group will set the tone for the competition, but India and Vietnam must navigate their own challenges to avoid early elimination. Despite being ranked lower than Vietnam and Chinese Taipei, India’s prospects remain uncertain. The group’s competitive nature means a single loss could jeopardize their chances of advancing, especially given Vietnam’s recent rise in global rankings and their history of outperforming India in key matches. Vietnam, having qualified for their 10th consecutive Asian Cup, will look to build on their 2022 campaign, where they reached the quarterfinals and secured a historic World Cup berth. Their resilience was tested during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they overcame a COVID-19 outbreak to reach the quarterfinals, defeating Thailand in a playoff. India, meanwhile, will seek to rectify their 2022 disappointment, when they were eliminated after failing to field a team against Chinese Taipei. The match carries historical significance for both nations. Vietnam’s forward Huỳnh Như, a 34-year-old talisman with 70 international goals, will be a focal point for her team.#india #afc_women_s_asian_cup #vietnam #sweety_devil #pham_hai_yen
