Women’s AFC Asian Cup qualifiers: Table-topper India gears up for Iraq challenge

Aiming to extend its perfect run in Group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the Indian senior women’s team will face Iraq on Wednesday at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium.

India currently sits at the top of the table with six points and a goal difference of +17 after wins against Mongolia (13-0) and Timor-Leste (4-0).

Thailand is in second, also with six points but a goal difference of +11. Iraq has already played three games and is on four points. It must defeat India to have any chance of staying alive on the road to Australia.

While it has turned into a race between India and Thailand to increase their goal difference before they meet on the final day (July 5), Blue Tigresses coach Crispin Chettri affirmed that three points are the bigger priority, and the sole focus is only the Iraq game at the moment.

While it has turned into a race between India and Thailand to increase their goal difference before they meet on the final day (July 5), Blue Tigresses coach Crispin Chettri affirmed that three points are the bigger priority.
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AIFF MEDIA

“Thailand is the last match, but for now, our full focus is on Iraq. We shouldn’t worry about how many goals Thailand or we have scored, or will score. The priority is to approach the Iraq match with a positive mindset and go for the win. Getting those three points is the most important thing. It will set us up to go into the Thailand game with full confidence and nine points with us,” said Chettri.

After defeating Timor-Leste on Sunday, Chettri and his coaching staff stayed at the stadium to watch Iraq suffer a 0-7 drubbing at the hands of the hosts. It has been a rollercoaster ride for the 173rd-ranked West Asian side, which was held goalless by Timor-Leste in the first game, before defeating Mongolia 5-2 to earn its first-ever victory on the international stage.

Giving his opinion on the Iraq side coached by their former men’s international Abdul-Wahab Abu Al-Hail and ranked 103 places below India, Chettri said, “For me, Iraq are not as weak as people might think. They’re a good side, but they’ve been playing back-to-back matches, so we may have an advantage in terms of recovery.

“Overall, I don’t see a big difference between Iraq and Timor-Leste. I feel Timor-Leste were more organised. So, I think we’ll get more opportunities to play our game against Iraq. It should be a good match for us to try a few new things as well.”

ALSO READ: India beats Timor Leste in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, goes top of Group B

After only the first two games, Chettri has already used 22 players, including all outfielders, from the 23-member squad. The Indian coach expressed he might look to continue with the rotation trend in the Iraq game and distribute valuable minutes to younger and newer players, while also hoping to keep everyone fresh for the last game.

“More or less, all players have gotten chances. Of course, we cannot take the Iraq match lightly. There may be some rotation, but key players will still get minutes. Giving game time to upcoming players is important at such a stage, but in crucial matches, we’ll have to stick to a core group. If we manage to score early, then we may be able to rotate more freely,” said Chettri.

Winger Soumya Guguloth, who suffered a nasal bone fracture during the match against Timor-Leste, has been ruled out of Wednesday’s match.