The Indian women’s national team encounter Chile in their second match of the Torneio Internacional de Futebol Feminino after a historic clash against hosts Brazil in their opening match. The Blue Tigresses were humbled 6-1 by giants Brazil but a big takeaway from the match for the team will be the lone equalizer scored by Manisha Kalyan. The tournament comes as a part of the preparatory campaign for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 which will be held in India.
The team headed by Thomas Dennerby has been playing regular friendlies in order to bring better exposure for the national team as they prepare to host the continental tournament in two months time, which also serves as the route for qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The team has had tours in UAE, Bahrain, and Sweden with mixed results. The tournament hosted by Manaus, Brazil features three South American teams Brazil, Chile and Venezuela along with India.
The match against Brazil was also the final match for 43-year old legendary midfielder Formiga Mota, who officially retired from international football after a 26 year career during which she played a record 7 Olympic games and 7 World Cups. The Indian contingent too made a fitting tribute to the Brazilian legend after the game.
Rival watch
Chile started the campaign in a positive manner beating Venezuela 1-0 courtesy of a screamer from 35 meters by Yanara Aedo. The side led by Christiane Endler, who was nominated as the best women’s goalkeeper of 2021 by IFFHS, have been on a patchy run of form winning just 2 matches in the last 10 matches including the Olympics before coming into this tournament.
Ranked 37th in the world, Chile have become a strong unit in South America in the recent years. The country qualified for their first ever FIFA World Cup in 2019 and their first ever Olympic games in Tokyo 2020.
Head coach Jose Letelier feels that this tournament in Brazil provides a good opportunity to prepare for the 2022 Copa America. On speaking about India to Chilean media, he said ” Playing India will help us improve a lot due to their physical ability “.
The team would be looking to maintain their good start to the tournament after the victory against Venezuela in the first match. But the coach is equally keen on giving chances to fresh faces to increase the depth in the squad, ” The result is important, but at the moment we are looking for other objectives: to play well, to add players in the squad for competition in all areas “.
Another test of endurance for India
Despite the heavy defeat against Brazil, India’s performance was commendable for a team in which most of the players haven’t played club football for a while now. The strong first half performance was undone in the second half by the hosts which indicates the work that needs to be done in improving the endurance. Coach Thomas Dennerby feels that India were tactically good, but a few mistakes in the defense cost them the goals. ” We did not concede because we were out of position. There were some weak clearances so we need to be stronger with those because you cannot afford that against such quality teams “, he told the AIFF media.
He feels that the experience would help India in their progress despite the result, ” Losing to Brazil is nothing to be ashamed of. We take the good things with us. It was a huge experience for them and that will help in the upcoming games “.
India will need to be on their best against Chile to get a favorable result. But the biggest takeaway from the tournament would be the opportunity of playing good quality opponents and also to get exposed to different styles of play which would be of great benefit in their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup.
On the same note, the Blue Tigresses are scheduled to play another preparatory tournament in Kerala from December 12-21, 2021. The tournament will feature Thailand, a team each from South Asia and Africa.
Team News
India squad:
Goalkeepers: Aditi Chauhan, M Linthoingambi Devi, Sowmiya Narayasamy
Defenders: Dalima Chhibber, Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Ashalata Devi, Manisa Panna, Shilky Devi, Ranjana Chanu, W Linthoingambi Devi
Midfielders: Indumathi Kathiresan, Sanju, Anju Tamang, Martina Thokchom, Karthika Angamuthu, Kamala Devi
Forwards: Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Renu, Dangmei Grace, Soumya Guguloth, Mariyammal Balamurugan
Chile squad:
Goalkeepers: Christiane Endler, Natalia Campos y Antonia Canales
Defenders: Nicole Cornejo, Geraldine Leyton, Fernanda Ramírez, Nicole Gutiérrez, Camila Sáez, Javiera Toro, Rosario Balmaceda
Midfielders: Karen Araya, Tali Rovner, Náyadet López, María Cristina Julio, Yastin Jiménez, Yanara Aedo, Francisca Lara
Forwards: María José Urrutia, Javiera Grez, Yenny Acuña, Isidora Hernández, María José Rojas
Match Facts
Venue: Arena da Amazonia, Manaus
Date and time: 29th November, 2:30AM IST
Telecast: Youtube and Facebook page of the Indian Football Team, Youtube page of Chile National Team (Selección Chilena)
FIFA Ranking: India – 57 Chile – 37
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