Coach Crispin Chhetri Calls AFC Women’s Cup Group ‘Interesting and Tricky’

New Delhi: India senior women's team coach Crispin Chettri labelled the Blue Tigresses' group in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 an 'interesting and tricky' one. India were placed in Group C with Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei in the draw ceremony at the Sydney Town Hall on Tuesday.

"I think we have a very interesting, and at the same time, a tricky group. Japan is the cream of Asia. Vietnam and Chinese Taipei are good sides, and we can compete with them and aim for favourable results," Chettri told the-aiff.com from Australia after the draw.

Coach Chettri concurred, "It has been a great experience here in Sydney. There are a lot of takeaways from this. Representing the country at this level is surreal."

India, currently ranked 70th, will begin their campaign against Vietnam (ranked 37th) on March 4, 2026, in Perth, before meeting Japan (ranked 7th) on March 7, also in Perth, and Chinese Taipei (ranked 42nd) on March 10 in Sydney.

Chettri said, "They are all tough teams, and that's what you expect at a stage like the Asian Cup. As the Odisha FC coach, I faced clubs from these three countries in the AFC Women's Champions League last season, and that was a massive learning experience for me. I am quite familiar with how they play and what to expect from them." (IANS)

Also Read: India drawn alongside Japan, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei in Group C of AFC Women’s Asia Cup

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