Indian Team reaches Mumbai for AFC Women’s Asian Cup

The Indian Women's Team has relocated to Mumbai, where they will participate in the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022, after camping in Kochi for more than a month after returning from their tour of Brazil.

"We've been preparing for this moment for the past six months. We've had over 200 sessions and a lot of matches against top opponents in four countries, and now it's time to put what we've learned into practise "Dennerby stated.

Pre-trip pep talk with the players helped get everyone in the right frame of mind.Sportstar/wikipedia

The 62-year-old Swede, who has previously managed the Swedish and Nigerian national teams, said that a pre-trip pep talk with the players helped get everyone in the right frame of mind.

"We had a brief meeting with the players and highlighted how crucial the next three weeks will be in their life. I believe this has touched a few nerves, and you can see the resolve in their eyes now "He confessed.

The Indian team is quite youthful, with 15 players under the age of 25 and a combined average age of 23.13. Shilky Hemam, Priyangka Devi, and Priyangka Devi are the squad's youngest members, having joined from the U-19 squad.

Sumati, a winger, feels that the players' camaraderie and connection has improved over the previous six months, with the more experienced players assisting the younger ones in various ways.

"I believe we have all matured as a group. Before travelling to Kerala, we had started with a camp in Jharkhand and had played a number of matches abroad against some challenging opponents. We've been practising with a single aim in mind, and the entire team is now focused on the task at hand "Sumati stated.

Also read: Towards a New Dawn: Journey of Indian Women's

"The more experienced players have showed us the way in a number of ways, notably in many off-the-field matters that might subsequently aid us," she continued.

India's campaign kicks off on January 20 against IR Iran at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, followed by a match against Chinese Taipei on January 23 at the same site. The Indian Team will travel to Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai for their third Group A encounter, where they will face China PR. (IANS/PR)

(Keywords: AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022, India's campaign, Swedish and Nigerian national teams, Indian Women's Team)