India qualify for AFC Women’s Asian Cup finals after beating Thailand 2-1

In a night that will be remembered as a watershed moment in Indian women’s football, the Blue Tigresses booked their ticket to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Finals with a gritty 2-1 win over hosts Thailand at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. With this win, India topped Group B of the Qualifiers, finishing with a perfect record — four wins in as many games.

This triumph is not just another result — it is a landmark achievement. For the first time in history, India’s women’s national football team has qualified for the Asian Cup through the formal qualification process. While India last participated in the tournament in 2022, their campaign was cut short due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the squad. The last time India had secured outright qualification was back in 2003, before the modern format of qualifiers was introduced.

Now, with qualification secured, India will make its return to the Asian Cup stage in 2026 in Australia, aiming to write a new chapter in its footballing journey.

The Game That Made History

Facing Thailand on their home turf was always going to be a challenge. The hosts were 24 places above India in the FIFA Women’s Rankings and had been in dominant form throughout the group stage. But head coach Crispin Chettri and his players arrived with a quiet confidence and a clear plan.

Midfielder Sangita Basfore, a seasoned campaigner, delivered a performance for the ages. She scored both of India’s goals and was the heartbeat of the midfield throughout the contest. The opening goal came in the 28th minute after a clever exchange in midfield saw Basfore burst through the Thai defense and calmly slot the ball past the goalkeeper.

Thailand came out with intent in the second half and managed to level the score just two minutes after the restart through Chatchawan Rodthong. For a brief period, the momentum seemed to tilt in favor of the hosts, but India stood firm.

Then came the decisive moment in the 74th minute. Basfore, once again in the right place at the right time, capitalized on a loose ball in the box to fire home what would be the winning goal. The Indian bench erupted, and the visitors dug deep in the final 15 minutes to see out the match with disciplined defending.

A Flawless Qualification Campaign

India’s campaign through the group stage was nothing short of dominant. The team opened with a record-breaking 13-0 victory over Mongolia, followed it up with a 4-0 win against Timor Leste, and then swept past Iraq 5-0 to set up a high-stakes showdown against Thailand.

Interestingly, Thailand had also cruised through their group matches — defeating the same three opponents with similarly commanding scorelines: 11-0, 4-0, and 7-0 respectively. Heading into the final clash, both India and Thailand were locked on nine points with an identical goal difference of +22, making the fixture a winner-takes-all scenario.

That India managed to overcome the odds, history, and the home support to prevail speaks volumes of their progress under coach Chettri and the increasing depth in the squad.

Breaking the Thai Curse

Until Friday night, India had never beaten Thailand in women’s football. Their most recent encounter came in the 2023 Asian Games in China, where India lost narrowly, 0-1. But this time, the Blue Tigresses flipped the script.

“This is a massive result for us — not just the win but the manner in which we fought and stayed composed,” said coach Chettri after the game. “The girls have worked incredibly hard for this, and they’ve shown that we belong on the continental stage.”

Basfore, whose brace turned the game, was named Player of the Match. “It’s a dream come true. We knew it was going to be tough, but we believed in ourselves. This is just the beginning,” she said.

Looking Ahead: A Chance at Bigger Dreams

India’s qualification has come at a time when women’s football in the country is gradually gaining momentum. With grassroots programs improving and a new generation of talent coming through, this success could be a pivotal moment in propelling the sport forward.

More significantly, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 is part of the broader qualification pathway for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, set to be hosted in Brazil. A strong performance in Australia next year could bring India within touching distance of a first-ever appearance at the World Cup.

“Qualifying for the Asian Cup is not the end goal; it’s the start of a bigger mission,” said All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey in a statement. “This team has the potential to make it to the World Cup, and we will do everything to support them.”

Key Takeaways from India’s Qualification Campaign

• Sangita Basfore’s brilliance: The midfielder has been at the core of India’s engine room for years, but her leadership and goal-scoring prowess in the qualifiers have elevated her stature.

• Crispin Chettri’s tactical discipline: The coach’s balanced approach — blending attacking freedom with defensive stability — has been a hallmark of this campaign.

• Youth and experience blend: With veterans like Basfore and rising stars such as Sandhiya Ranganathan and Manisha Kalyan playing pivotal roles, the team struck the right balance.

• Historic first via qualification: This marks a major milestone — India have finally qualified for the AFC Asian Cup Finals via the official qualifying route, a feat never before achieved.

The Road Ahead

India will now shift their focus toward preparations for the 2026 tournament. With just under a year left, the AIFF is expected to line up a series of international friendlies and training camps to sharpen the squad further.

The team’s immediate priority will be to stay competitive against higher-ranked opposition and continue building depth. Australia will pose a significant challenge, but with momentum on their side and history freshly made, the Blue Tigresses will be eager to embrace it.

“This is a moment of pride for every Indian. Our women’s team has shown that nothing is impossible with dedication and belief,” Chaubey added.

For now, the victory over Thailand is not just a win on the pitch — it is a statement. India’s women are here, they are hungry, and they are ready to take on Asia’s best.

With 24 goals scored and just one conceded in four games, the Blue Tigresses march into the 2026 Asian Cup as one of the most impressive teams of the qualifying rounds.

And for Indian football, it could just be the beginning of something truly special.