Agencies
New Delhi
The Senior India Women’s National Football Team will face a stern test as they gear up for two FIFA Women’s International Friendlies against higher-ranked Uzbekistan on May 30 and June 3, 2025, at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence
in Bengaluru.
Led by newly appointed head coach Crispin Chettri, the Blue Tigresses have been in camp since May 1 as part of their preparations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. With the continental qualifiers just weeks away, the double-header against Uzbekistan—ranked 50th in the FIFA Women’s Rankings—will serve as a crucial litmus test for India, who are currently placed 69th.
India will hope to make a strong statement at home after a historically one-sided head-to-head record that favours the visitors. The White Wolves have won 9 of the 13 encounters between the two nations, with India managing just one victory, while three matches have ended in stalemates.
The Tigresses have been drawn in Group B for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, where they’ll take on Mongolia (June 23), Timor-Leste (June 29), Iraq (July 2), and hosts Thailand (July 5) in Chiang Mai. The upcoming fixtures against Uzbekistan provide India with a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their tactics, experiment with combinations, and build momentum heading into
the qualifiers.
The 34-member probable squad features a mix of experienced names and fresh faces. The attacking unit boasts the likes of Manisha Kalyan, Sandhiya Ranganathan, and Soumya Guguloth, while veterans Grace Dangmei and Anju Tamang add depth to the midfield. In defence, the Tigresses will rely on the solidity of Sweety Devi, Sanju, and Ranjana Chanu to keep the Uzbek forwards at bay.
