In New Delhi, on March 22, the head coach of India's U20 women's team, Joakim Alexandersson, stated that the team has made significant progress since qualifying for the 2026 Women's Asian Cup in Thailand, and they are "not intimidated" by the challenge of competing against some of Asia's strongest teams.
The U20 women arrived in Bangkok 13 days before their first match, which will allow them to adapt to the climate. However, the conditions in Bangkok are similar to those in Kolkata, where the team trained after returning from Sweden earlier this month.
India's preparation has involved a variety of training methods, including intense friendlies against strong opponents. Matches against Uzbekistan in Mahabalipuram and Kazakhstan in Shymkent last year provided valuable experience, helping the team develop its tactical skills.
"The matches against Uzbekistan were very important," Alexandersson reportedly said. "We had excellent training facilities in Chennai and played two good friendly matches. These matches were beneficial because we were preparing for high-intensity games. The Kazakhstan team was physically strong, with players who had experience at the senior level."
However, the cornerstone of India's preparation was a month-long training camp in Sweden. This experience pushed the team to adapt to unfamiliar conditions.
"From a football perspective, the camp was extremely valuable," Alexandersson said. "We had excellent facilities, strong training sessions, and access to a well-equipped gym."
In total, India played five friendly matches. However, their opening match against Hammarby IF, a strong Swedish team, resulted in a 0-6 loss.
"That match was challenging. The pace of play, the quality of the players, and their movement were very high. We had to work extremely hard defensively. But the girls showed great determination," Alexandersson noted. "With each match, we improved, especially in our defensive structure and attacking movements. We've made good progress in creating chances."
More importantly, the team experienced both sides of the game – absorbing pressure and dictating play – which is crucial at the tournament level. "Importantly, we maintained our commitment to playing technical, possession-based football."
India will face Japan on April 2, Australia on April 5, and Chinese Taipei on April 8 in Group C. The top two teams in the group and the two best third-placed teams among all three groups will qualify for the quarter-finals. Furthermore, the four quarter-final winners will qualify for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Poland in 2026.
"It's definitely a tough group," Alexandersson said. "Japan is one of the best teams in the world at this level, and Australia is also a very strong and physical team. It's important that we respect these opponents but do not fear them. We want to play with confidence. Not just defend, but also keep possession and express ourselves."
Since securing their historic qualification in August last year, the Indian U20 women's team has shown noticeable development across multiple aspects of the game.
"There has been significant improvement," Alexandersson observed. "I've seen better ball movement, quicker passing, and more clarity in the final third. Even defensively, we are more organised, and the communication, especially from the goalkeepers, has improved. Every area we identified for improvement has progressed. Now we need to see how that translates against top-level opponents."
While India may not have the same physical stature as some of their opponents, the team has focused on other strengths like tactical discipline, aggression, and intelligence.
"I'm quite satisfied with the squad and the depth we have," Alexandersson said. "Even though we may not be the biggest team physically, we've worked a lot on defensive aggression and positioning.
"We've focused on engaging the opponent early rather than just reacting. Through video analysis and training, the players have developed a better understanding. It's about playing with courage, intelligence, and belief."
With the tournament fast approaching, expectations within the camp are grounded yet ambitious. The team held their first training session in Bangkok on Saturday, March 21.
"First and foremost, I expect total commitment from the girls. We need to work hard, fight for every duel, and stay disciplined defensively. We must trust the work we've done and play with confidence, both with and without the ball. If we can do that, I believe we have a good chance in all three matches," Alexandersson said.
Alexandersson also had a message for the fans. "If there are Indian fans in Thailand, it would mean a lot if they could come to the stadium and support the team. Creating that atmosphere can really lift the players. It would be wonderful to make it feel like a home ground for the girls," the coach said.