Pathum Thani [Thailand], April 7 (ANI): The Indian U20 girls’s nationwide group will tackle Chinese Taipei of their last Group C fixture of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, understanding that nothing in need of a victory will maintain their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive.
According to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the match will kick off at 14:30 IST on the Pathum Thani Stadium in Pathum Thani.
After defeats of their opening two matches in opposition to Japan and Australia, each India and Chinese Taipei discover themselves in an identical conditions, chasing a outcome that would but maintain their event alive.
India’s purpose distinction of -11 makes issues a bit extra sophisticated than Chinese Taipei’s -7. The Young Tigresses’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the primary time since 2004 relaxation on securing a spot among the many two finest third-placed groups throughout all teams.
Their activity can be simplified if both the Group A match between Vietnam and Bangladesh on Tuesday or the Group B match between Uzbekistan and Jordan on Wednesday ends in a draw. In that case, the winner of India vs Chinese Taipei will qualify for the quarter-finals, no matter purpose distinction.
But if there’s a winner in each these video games, India would want to win by a good-looking margin to keep away from being the worst-ranked third-placed facet within the three teams. At the second, the purpose variations of the opposite groups are – Bangladesh (-3), Vietnam (-6), Uzbekistan (-8) and Jordan (-9).
Head coach Joakim Alexandersson was clear about what’s required from his facet.
‘We must be loads stronger and extra decided in each 18-yard bins, in how we defend our personal field, and in how we rating objectives in opposition to them. We must be extra direct in assault, more durable, and extra scientific. But we should additionally keep in mind that we face an excellent group,’ he mentioned.
Across their first two matches, the Young Tigresses have proven glimpses of their potential, however have additionally been punished for lapses at key moments.
‘We must be sturdy in duels, talk loads, and be much more aggressive than within the first two video games. When we win the ball, we must be sharper and faster in transition, and look to go for goal-scoring alternatives,’ the Swede added.
‘The solely factor that issues to us is that we now have to go for the win, as a result of that’s our solely likelihood to qualify for the quarter-finals. That is the one mindset,’ Alexandersson affirmed.
Forward Sulanjana Raul, who scored twice within the qualifiers final 12 months, didn’t shrink back from the fact of the scenario.
‘We are in a troublesome scenario. The final match is a deciding match as a result of we nonetheless have probabilities. We misplaced the primary two matches in a really poor means, conceding 5 and 6 objectives. So on this final match, we should win. We should carry out very nicely and attempt to rating as many objectives as we will,’ mentioned the 18-year-old.
The emphasis on attacking effectivity, one thing India have labored on all through their preparation, now turns into crucial. She can be conscious that the problem can be equally fierce from the opposite facet. The want for a powerful begin is one other key issue.
‘Right now, there is just one factor in my thoughts — to do very nicely within the final match. We must take our probabilities, no matter alternatives we get. We know that they may also come absolutely ready as a result of in addition they wish to win and qualify. It will not be a simple match in opposition to Chinese Taipei. Whoever comes onto the pitch will wish to win, so it is going to be a troublesome sport.
‘We positively must win. We want to attain early as nicely. From a person viewpoint, if I get an opportunity, I’ve to transform it as shortly as doable,’ Sulanjana added.
At the opposite finish of the pitch, defensive self-discipline can be simply as essential. Defender Cindy Colney mirrored on the teachings from the opening video games and the duty of making certain enchancment.
The 19-year-old began out within the nationwide group as a midfielder throughout her U17 days, however underneath Alexandersson, she has been transformed right into a stable centre-back. At 164 centimetres, she is the second-tallest outfield participant within the squad, solely behind her centre-back associate Thoibisana Chanu Toijam, who’s 169.
The defensive unit has come underneath strain within the first two matches, and Cindy acknowledged the necessity for accountability.
‘We have performed two matches, and conceding so many objectives shouldn’t be one thing that ought to occur. We conceded attributable to some poor conditions, and generally there have been particular person errors as nicely.
‘Whatever errors we now have made, we are going to be taught from them and rectify. And in regards to the issues we now have executed nicely, we have to proceed doing these.’
With all the pieces on the road, the method is all-in.
‘For each groups, it is sort of a last. We will play as a group and provides all the pieces on the pitch. Chinese Taipei are a group that may defend nicely, and at any time when they get an opportunity to counter-attack, they do it very successfully. So we have to keep targeted each second,’ Cindy added.
Chinese Taipei head coach Hsieh Chih-chun acknowledged the problem forward and the steadiness between the 2 sides.
‘India are a really attacking facet, and their combating spirit and defensive mentality are wonderful, however I really feel that each our groups are very evenly matched when it comes to potential,’ he mentioned. (ANI)