The stage is set. After three dominant performances in Group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, the Indian women’s football team the Blue Tigresses now face their biggest test.
Their final group game on July 5 against host nation Thailand will decide who secures the coveted spot at the continental showpiece.
It’s not just another game. It’s the game. A match that could end India’s 22-year-long wait to qualify for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on merit.
The Road So Far: Identical Records, Shared Stakes
Both India and Thailand enter the final game of the group stage with 9 points from 3 games, having scored freely and conceded none. In fact, their goal difference stands equal at +22, underlining how dominant both teams have been against the likes of Mongolia, Timor-Leste, and Iraq.
India’s results so far:
- 🇮🇳 13-0 🇲🇳 Mongolia
- 🇮🇳 4-0 🇹🇱 Timor-Leste
- 🇮🇳 5-0 🇮🇶 Iraq
Thailand’s results:
- 🇹🇭 4-0 🇹🇱 Timor-Leste
- 🇹🇭 7-0 🇮🇶 Iraq
- 🇹🇭 11-0 🇲🇳 Mongolia
While India had a higher margin in the first two games, Thailand caught up with two late goals against Mongolia to level the GD tally at +22, setting up a high-stakes finale in Chiang Mai.
Qualification Scenarios
Only the group winner qualifies. With everything tied points, goal difference, goals scored the final match is effectively a winner-takes-all encounter.
Here’s how India can qualify:
- Win in regulation time – straightforward qualification.
- Draw in regulation → Win on penalties – India goes through.
Missed Chances, Tactical Decisions, and What Could Have Been
Despite the convincing scorelines, India may rue not converting more chances especially against Mongolia. The team created 7-8 clear opportunities, but four were notably easy and squandered. A higher goal difference could have given India some breathing space heading into the Thai clash. Also, many fans questioned the decision to bench Manisha Kalyan in the Mongolia match, with her creativity likely to have yielded more goals.
That said, this is where tactics come into play. Head coach Thomas Dennerby now faces a big decision:
- Does he opt for a defensive 4-4-2, try to hold Thailand, and aim for penalties?
- Or go all out with an attacking 4-2-3-1, risking exposure to Thai counterattacks?
Either way, managing player discipline will be absolutely critical, especially if the tie reaches the rare disciplinary tiebreaker.
Confidence Boost: India’s Domination vs Iraq
India’s 5-0 win over Iraq in the third match showed the team’s depth and discipline. Dominating from start to finish, the Tigresses pressed high, maintained possession, and were clinical in front of goal. The fluidity in attack and control in midfield bodes well ahead of the Thailand clash.
Key performers so far:
- Grace Dangmei – Electric on the right wing.
- Manisha Kalyan – Her directness and pace have been a constant threat.
- Sandhiya Ranganathan – A creative engine in the final third.
- Ashalata Devi – Rock-solid at the back.
The Bigger Picture: 22 Years of Waiting
India last qualified for the Women’s Asian Cup on merit in 2003. In 2022, they featured as hosts but exited in the group stage. This time, qualification would not just be historic it would be earned through grit, skill, and belief.
A win over Thailand would also mean a massive morale boost for women’s football in India, still fighting for visibility and recognition despite a wealth of talent. The team has grown, the setup has improved, and performances like this show the growing potential of Indian women on the international stage.
One Nation. One Goal.
The match on Saturday, July 5, is not just a qualifier it’s a defining moment for the Blue Tigresses. A moment to inspire the next generation, rewrite history, and bring Indian women’s football into the continental spotlight once again.
Come on, India. Let’s finish what we started.
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