Chiang Mai, Thailand, In a match that will be remembered as a watershed moment for Indian women’s football, the Blue Tigresses overcame hosts Thailand 2–1 at the 700th Anniversary Stadium to secure their first ever qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup via the qualification pathway. Sangita Basfore’s brace and a resolute team performance stunned a passionate Thai crowd and underscored India’s rapid rise on the continental stage.
India entered the match needing a win to leapfrog Thailand on goal difference and claim the sole qualification spot from Group B. The Thai side, riding a seven-match unbeaten streak on home soil, looked to extend its regional dominance. Under heavy monsoon skies, the game began with both teams probing for openings, but it was India who struck first.
In the 28th minute, midfield stalwart Sangita Basfore unleashed a thunderous strike from 25 yards out. After receiving the ball from a quick interchange with defender Nirmala Devi, Basfore steadied herself and hammered a low shot that whistled past Thai goalkeeper Kanjana Sungngoen and kissed the inside of the far post. The Blue Tigresses bench erupted as the away side took an unexpected lead.
Thailand rallied almost immediately. Veteran forward Thanatta Chawong and young winger Kongratree Srichan combined on the left flank to send dangerous crosses into India’s box. But goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu was equal to every challenge, diving expertly to smother efforts at close range and preserving India’s advantage through a period of sustained pressure.
As the first half wore on, India grew in confidence. Full-back Dalima Chhibber made overlapping runs to stretch the Thai backline, while captain Ashalata Devi marshaled the defense with composure. Thailand’s best chance before the break fell to rising star Kanjana Sonkham, whose curling shot drifted just wide of the upright. The half ended 1–0, with India firmly in control.
The Thai home crowd erupted at the restart when Chatchawan Rodthong found the net inside two minutes of the second half. A corner routine caught India off guard as the ball squirted to Rodthong at the edge of the box. Her impassioned half-volley took a deflection off India’s centre-back Anju Tamang, wrong-footing Chanu and rattling into the net. The stadium roared back to life as parity was restored.
That goal swung momentum firmly in Thailand’s favor. The hosts peppered India’s goal with crosses and set-piece deliveries, and Panthoi was called into action again, pushing away a thundering header from Kirati Sirimalai in the 57th minute. Indian manager Thomas Dennerby responded by introducing attacking midfielder Manisha Kalyan, seeking fresh energy in the final third.
India’s resilience paid off in the 74th minute. From a free kick on the left, Nirmala Devi swung in a precise delivery that evaded the first defender and dropped into the penalty area. Basfore, exploiting a momentary lapse by Thailand’s centre-back pairing, rose highest to head the ball powerfully past Sungngoen. It was a fitting moment for Basfore, whose tireless midfield work had driven India’s performance throughout. Her double strike made her the first Indian player to score twice in a Women’s Asian Cup qualifying match.
Trailing once more, Thailand threw caution to the wind. Coach Spencer Prior urged his side forward, and substitute Pimchanok Ngammee tested Panthoi with a fierce long-range drive. But India’s backline, marshaled by Ashalata Devi and Shilky Devi, held firm. In the closing stages, India nearly extended their lead when Manisha Kalyan danced past two defenders and unleashed a dipping effort that skimmed the crossbar.
As the final whistle blew, the Indian players fell to their knees in euphoria. The Blue Tigresses had done the unthinkable: they had silenced a vociferous home crowd and booked their ticket to Australia 2026. It was a triumph born of collective belief, tactical discipline, and individual brilliance.
“It’s a proud day for India,” said Sangita Basfore in her post-match interview. “We believed in ourselves from the start. This team has worked so hard, and to see it pay off like this, especially against a strong side like Thailand, is incredible.”
Manager Thomas Dennerby paid tribute to his squad’s mental fortitude. “We knew Thailand would come at us after the equalizer,” he reflected. “But the players showed great character. Sangita’s goals were outstanding, but it was the defensive performance and the desire to win that made the difference.”
For Thailand, the defeat is a bitter pill. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, they lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. “We can’t fault the effort, but we have to be more clinical,” said captain Jarasporn Bundasak. “This will hurt, but we’ll learn and come back stronger.”
India’s qualification marks a significant milestone in the country’s women’s football history. Since reconstituting the national team program in 2017, the All India Football Federation has invested heavily in grassroots development, coaching, and infrastructure. The results are now evident on the pitch. India will join hosts Australia, formidable defending champions Japan, and the other qualifiers from this cycle in next year’s finals.
The Blue Tigresses now turn their attention to preparations for the main tournament. Dennerby’s side will convene in New Delhi for a training camp next month, with friendlies against Tajikistan and Uzbekistan lined up. Senior players such as goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu and midfielder Aditi Chauhan will play key roles in mentoring emerging talents like striker Grace Dangmei and winger Renu Wagner.
Looking ahead, India’s ambitions extend beyond mere participation. With the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 on the horizon, the team aims to break into the top eight in Asia and secure a berth on football’s biggest stage. “Our journey doesn’t end here,” said Nirmala Devi. “This is just the start. We want to challenge the best and show that India belongs among them.”
As the celebrations continue back home, the clean sheets on the team bus and the exhausted smiles on the players’ faces tell the story of a nation on the rise in women’s football. From the dusty pitches of Manipur to the high-tech facilities of Goa, India’s female footballers have overcome logistical hurdles, limited resources, and global competition to arrive at this moment.
In Chiang Mai tonight, a red-and-blue contingent of Indian supporters danced and sang long after the players had left the field. Their joy was contagious, spreading to neutrals who applauded India’s fair play and commitment.
For the Blue Tigresses, qualification is both reward and responsibility. They carry the hopes of millions and the weight of a nation eager to see its women athletes succeed. But as they bask in this hard-won victory, they also set their sights on the next challenge: punching above their weight in Australia, making history once more, and inspiring the next generation of footballers across India.
