The India women football team wrapped up a two-match friendly series against higher-ranked Uzbekistan on May 30 and June 1, 2025.
Despite narrowly losing both matches by a 1-0 margin, the friendlies served a more critical purpose than just results. They offered the Blue Tigresses valuable competitive exposure and insights into their evolving tactical and mental framework under head coach Crispin Chettri.
Historic Context and Rankings
India and Uzbekistan have met multiple times over the years, with Uzbekistan generally maintaining the upper hand. The May 2025 FIFA Women’s World Rankings reflected this disparity — Uzbekistan stood at 50th, while India was ranked 69th. Given this gap, Uzbekistan entered the double-header as favourites.
Yet, India came into these games with intent — not just to compete, but to learn, adapt, and narrow the performance gap against stronger Asian sides ahead of crucial AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.
Match 1: May 30 – A Last-Minute Blow
The opening match saw India put in a defensively resolute performance. The backline remained compact, while goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu stood tall between the sticks. Chanu impressed with her aerial command and crucial one-on-one saves that kept India level for much of the match.
India absorbed pressure well and showed better structure and discipline off the ball. However, just when it looked like they would escape with a creditable draw, heartbreak struck in injury time. Uzbekistan’s Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva found space in the box to head home from a late cross, handing the hosts a 1-0 win. For India, it was a tough lesson in maintaining concentration through all 90+ minutes — a momentary lapse that cost them a commendable result.
Match 2: June 1 – Tactical Growth, But Still No Goals
Three days later, India returned with a visibly improved attacking approach. Coach Crispin Chettri’s side showed more fluidity in possession, transitioned well through midfield, and brought their wide players into the game effectively.
The wing duo of Pyari Xaxa and Karthika Angamuthu created several entries into the final third, testing the Uzbek full-backs and creating chances. The midfield, too, showed better ball circulation and more purposeful pressing.
However, as was the case in the first match, India failed to convert promising moments into goals. Uzbekistan struck early in the second half through Nilufar Kudratova, whose clinical finish proved to be the difference. India tried to push for an equaliser but lacked composure in front of goal, and the match ended 1-0 once again in favour of the hosts.
Tactical Analysis: Positives and Pain Points
Across both fixtures, coach Crispin Chettri’s tactical adjustments were evident. In the first match, India adopted a low block to frustrate the Uzbek attackers, keeping the shape intact until the dying seconds. In the second game, they raised the tempo, showing more intent in pressing and attacking transitions.
The improved performance from the first to the second match suggests that the team is responding to coaching and tactical tweaks. India’s defensive organisation has grown, and the transition play is becoming more coherent.
But a recurring issue remains — the inability to convert attacking opportunities into goals. India created enough half-chances and moments of pressure but lacked the clinical finishing needed at the international level.
Moreover, moments of lapse, particularly in match management and set-piece defence, continue to be costly.
Individual Performances: Players Who Stood Out
Several Indian players gained valuable experience and showed promise:
- Panthoi Chanu was a standout across both games. Her reflexes, composure, and confidence were pivotal in keeping the scoreline close.
- Pyari Xaxa and Karthika Angamuthu brought a spark to India’s wing play, making intelligent runs and creating offensive thrusts.
- Indumathi Kathiresan in midfield offered the calmness and control India needed to link defence and attack.
For Uzbekistan, Khabibullaeva and Kudratova were decisive — two sharp moments from experienced internationals that showcased the difference in finishing quality between the two sides.
Despite the double defeats, these friendlies fulfilled their purpose for India. The narrow margins and tactical execution in both matches are positives. More importantly, they highlighted the areas requiring improvement — primarily match fitness, finishing ability, and concentration in critical moments.
With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 qualifiers on the horizon, India now has a solid diagnostic template to work from. The experiences in Uzbekistan offer a timely test of depth, shape, and mental resilience.
What’s Next: AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers
India is placed in Group B of the qualifiers and will play four group matches in June and July:
- June 23 vs Mongolia
- June 29 vs East Timor
- July 2 vs Iraq
- July 5 vs Thailand
India will be expected to win their first three games comfortably — all opponents ranked below them — but the crunch match will be against Thailand, the host nation and group favourite. The winner of that final match will most likely secure qualification for the main event.
Given Thailand’s higher FIFA ranking and stronger international record, India will need to elevate their game, particularly in finishing and defensive sharpness, to secure the top spot.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan, in a different qualifying group, will face Sri Lanka, Laos, and Nepal — a group they are strongly favoured to top.
The India-Uzbekistan friendlies in May and June 2025 may not have yielded results on paper, but they provided the Indian women’s team with competitive exposure, structural learning, and tactical benchmarks ahead of high-stakes matches.
For the Blue Tigresses, the goal now is clear — translate these competitive experiences into consistent results. The team is showing signs of progress under Crispin Chettri, but the next leap forward will require sharper execution, especially in the final third, and stronger mental endurance in the dying stages of matches.
If India can carry the defensive discipline from Tashkent and add goals to their game in the qualifiers, a return to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup could very well be within reach.
