The Indian women’s football team recorded an important 3–1 victory over Banaat FC during their UAE tour, a result that arrives at a critical moment in their build-up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
More than a routine friendly, the match served as a focused tactical examination against a structured, professionally run opponent led by former Premier League and France defender Bacary Sagna. For head coach Crispin Chettri, the scoreline is validation that his squad is finally beginning to align technical execution with the demands of elite Asian competition.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
This match fell within the November 2025 FIFA international window one specifically earmarked for India to correct weaknesses exposed in the October tri-nation series in Shillong. India’s 0–2 defeat to Iran had highlighted the team’s struggle to break down disciplined defences, an issue that has historically cost India at the continental level. Choosing to face Banaat FC, a club whose tactical structure is shaped by a European defensive icon, was no coincidence.
India responded with a purposeful, front-foot performance. Goals from debutant Aveka Singh, domestic mainstay Anju Tamang, and star winger Manisha Kalyan underscored not only attacking efficiency but also the increasing balance within the squad. Each goal came from a different type of player overseas-developed talent, domestic IWL product, and European-seasoned forward reflecting the multi-pathway model India hopes will define its future.
The value of the result extends beyond morale. This was a deliberate test of:
- Attacking sharpness against a structured, European-style defensive unit
- Integration of overseas-based players into India’s tactical system
- Ability to outperform a high-ambition professional club side under an elite coach
These are precisely the qualities India will need when they meet Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei in Group C of the Asian Cup. Each of those teams defends with discipline Vietnam and Chinese Taipei with compact organisation, Japan with technical sophistication. Breaking down such sides requires creativity, composure, and repeatable attacking patterns. India showed elements of all three against Banaat FC.
The Overseas Impact: Manisha and Aveka Lead the Way
Manisha Kalyan’s influence continues to illustrate the impact of Indian players competing abroad. The Apollon Ladies forward brings Champions League-level speed, tactical clarity, and fearlessness traits that elevate the entire frontline. Her goal in Dubai demonstrated the clinical edge India lacked in matches earlier this year.
Equally significant was the emergence of 22-year-old Aveka Singh, whose path from FCBEscola India to US college football and now Denmark’s 1st Division offers a template for the “diaspora integration” strategy India has long needed. Scoring in one of her first senior appearances instantly validates her selection and highlights the importance of identifying Indian-origin players in stronger football ecosystems.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
If the overseas players add pace and polish, the domestic core provides stability. Anju Tamang’s goal was a reminder that IWL-developed players remain central to India’s structure. Her consistency offers proof that domestic talent when supported through regular camps and increased match exposure can thrive alongside international teammates.
This blend is central to India’s Vision 2047, which stresses both international exposure and domestic development as non-negotiable pillars.
Who Were the Opponents? A Unique Test
Banaat FC are one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing women’s clubs. Founded in 2023, the organisation is driven by Emirati entrepreneur Budreya Faisal and supported through a high-profile Nike partnership. With players from 17 countries and Sagna providing a defensively disciplined tactical identity, Banaat FC offered India a level of structure and predictability not always available in international friendlies.
This made them ideal opponents as India prepares for the demanding Asian Cup group stage.
Taken in isolation, a 3–1 friendly win may seem modest. But within the broader context of India’s 2025–26 preparation cycle, it carries undeniable significance. India still face a steep climb when they reach Australia next March.
But for the first time in months, the direction feels clear and the performance in Dubai suggests the Blue Tigresses may finally be building toward a competitive identity capable of troubling Asia’s best.
