After a 20-year wait, the India U20 women’s football team is set to return to the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup, carrying with them not just the weight of history but a renewed sense of belief and preparation.
Leading the Young Tigresses into the continental stage will be captain Shubhangi Singh, who embodies the calm confidence within a squad eager to prove its credentials.
India’s qualification campaign, sealed in Myanmar, marked a significant milestone for the program. But for Shubhangi, the celebrations have already been set aside. The focus has shifted entirely to what lies ahead a challenging group stage featuring Japan, Australia, and Chinese Taipei.
“We went there with the mindset to qualify, and we did,” Shubhangi said. “When you already believe something is going to happen, it doesn’t come as a surprise.” That belief now underpins a team preparing to compete against some of Asia’s strongest youth sides.
India will open their campaign against Japan on April 2, followed by Australia on April 5 and Chinese Taipei on April 8. With only the top two teams and the best third-placed sides advancing to the knockout stage and World Cup qualification on the line for quarterfinal winners every match carries immense significance.
Currently training in Kolkata before their departure to Bangkok, the squad has undergone one of its most structured preparation phases in recent years. The build-up has been designed to expose players to varied playing styles and intensities, ensuring they are not stepping into unfamiliar territory.
“Our focus is on the three difficult group games ahead. At this stage, we don’t expect any easy matches,” Shubhangi noted. “We’re ready and want to go out there and perform well against top teams.”
A major highlight of India’s preparation was a month-long training camp in Sweden earlier this year. Facing physically stronger and tactically disciplined European opposition provided valuable lessons for the squad. The opening match against Hammarby IF’s senior team ended in a heavy 0-6 defeat, but the experience proved to be a turning point.
“The first game was the toughest. The loss wasn’t acceptable, but it was a big learning experience,” Shubhangi reflected. “From the second game onwards, we adapted better.” The team showed visible improvement as the tour progressed, registering wins, a draw, and concluding with an impressive 5-2 victory against Älvsjö AIK.
Beyond Sweden, India also tested themselves against Central Asian opposition, playing multiple friendlies against Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. These matches offered a different kind of challenge, particularly in dealing with physically dominant teams.
“We’ve played Uzbekistan multiple times and managed good results,” Shubhangi said. “They are physically strong, so it was valuable to compete against them.” Against Kazakhstan, India showed strong control in possession but initially struggled with physical duels another learning curve that has since been addressed.
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Perhaps the most defining aspect of this Indian squad is its continuity. The core group has been together for over a year, allowing for strong team cohesion and a deeper understanding of roles and responsibilities. Training camps in Bengaluru and Kolkata, combined with international exposure, have helped shape a unit that is tactically aligned and mentally resilient.
“We’ve been together for over a year now, and that has really helped with bonding,” Shubhangi explained. “We’ve grown a lot as individuals and as a team.”
Under head coach Joakim Alexandersson, the team has also undergone a tactical transformation. Moving towards a more proactive and attacking style, the emphasis has been on expressing themselves on the pitch while maintaining structure.
“Since he joined, our playing style has changed. We’re more attacking now,” Shubhangi said. “He encourages us not to be afraid of making mistakes and to enjoy football.” This approach has not only improved performances but also instilled confidence in a young squad stepping onto a major international stage.
The opening match against Japan presents the toughest possible start. A powerhouse in women’s football, Japan has dominated at youth levels, winning multiple Asian titles and consistently performing at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
“Japan is a very strong team. Their junior teams play similarly to their senior team,” Shubhangi acknowledged. “But we can’t go into games thinking the opponent is stronger. We want to show what this Indian team can do.”
For many players in the squad, this will be their first experience of competing at such a high level. Yet, the mindset within the camp suggests that participation alone is not the goal. The ambition is clear to compete, to perform, and to push for a place in the knockout stages.
“The focus is to perform well and aim for qualification,” Shubhangi said. “We want people back home to support us. It means a lot.”
India’s return to the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup is more than just a tournament appearance it is a reflection of a growing structure in women’s football, where preparation, exposure, and belief are beginning to align.
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As the Young Tigresses prepare to step onto the pitch in Thailand, they carry not just expectations, but the confidence of a team that has done the work. Whether it translates into results will unfold in the coming weeks, but one thing is certain this Indian side is ready to compete.
