The Indian women’s football team continued its encouraging preparatory phase for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over German club side Hertha BSC Frauen at the S&B Sport Football Complex in Antalya, Türkiye, on Monday.
A composed finish from Grace Dangmei in the 37th minute proved decisive, as the Blue Tigresses secured their second win of the European training camp. The result further underlined India’s steady tactical growth as the squad sharpens itself against strong European opposition ahead of Asia’s premier international tournament in March.
A goal built on pressure and patience
India’s winning moment came midway through the first half after a sustained spell of pressure. Grace Dangmei, who has been one of India’s most consistent attacking threats during the camp, capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot home clinically. The goal reflected the clarity India have shown in transition play winning the ball high up the pitch and attacking with purpose rather than simply retreating into a defensive block.
Against Hertha BSC, India were particularly disciplined in their defensive structure. The backline held shape even as the German side attempted to build attacks through wide areas and quick switches of play. The midfield unit worked hard to limit space between the lines, forcing Hertha to play sideways rather than through the centre.
The clean sheet was especially encouraging given the physicality and pressing style Hertha brought into the contest. For the Indian coaching staff, the ability to manage game tempo and protect a narrow lead under pressure is a critical part of Asian Cup preparation.
Building rhythm through quality opposition
The Antalya camp has been designed to give India exposure to different footballing styles and match tempos. The Hertha BSC fixture was India’s fourth game of the tour and came after mixed but valuable results.
The tour began with a 2–0 loss to Ukraine’s FC Metalist 1925 on January 18, a match that exposed some defensive gaps and the challenge of playing against quick, physically strong European sides. However, the response was encouraging. On January 24, India bounced back with a 2–1 win over Swiss club FC Schlieren, with Grace Dangmei again finding the net along with Anju Tamang.
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That win was followed by a scoreless draw against Russia’s Spartak Moscow on January 30, where India showed impressive defensive organisation and composure without the ball. The Hertha BSC victory now adds attacking efficiency to that defensive solidity, making it one of the most balanced performances of the tour so far.
While Hertha BSC Frauen compete in the lower tiers of German football, the club still represents the tactical discipline and physical intensity associated with German football. For India, beating such opposition is less about league status and more about game control, pressing patterns, and managing pressure in unfamiliar environments.
The camp in Türkiye has also allowed the squad to adjust to European-style football, where teams press higher, circulate the ball quicker, and punish small positional errors. These experiences are invaluable as India prepare to face technically strong Asian sides in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Grace Dangmei’s form has been another major positive. Her ability to score against multiple opponents during this camp highlights India’s growing attacking threat something the team has struggled with in recent years on the continental stage.
India’s European tour is not over yet. The team will next face Russian club Zvezda 2005 Perm on February 4, followed by a clash against Romania’s FK Csíkszereda Miercurea Ciuc on February 7. Both fixtures are expected to offer different tactical challenges—Zvezda known for their physicality and Csíkszereda for their structured build-up play.
After these games, India will travel to Perth, Australia, on February 10 for the final phase of preparations. There, the focus will shift toward acclimatisation, match sharpness, and recovery ahead of the Asian Cup.
Eyes on the Asian Cup
India begin their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign against Vietnam on March 4. Drawn in a tough group, every detail of preparation fitness, shape, discipline, and mental toughness will matter. The victory over Hertha BSC Frauen might not make headlines globally, but within the Indian camp, it represents something important: proof that the team is becoming more organised, more confident, and more capable of executing game plans against international opposition.
As the Blue Tigresses move closer to the biggest tournament of their cycle, these wins are not just results they are building blocks for belief.
