Mumbai: Women’s Football national team will travel to Hong Kong for an exposure as FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled in India. Their tour will begin from June 16.
Team India will play their 4 matches against Hong Kong under former India international Alex Ambrose,
Ambrose believes that matches in Hong Kong will give girls valuable experience to test themselves against tough opponents.
The first match will be against Hong Kong U-23 on June 21, followed by games against Hong Kong U-18 and against club teams.
“The matches in Hong Kong will serve as a good experience for the girls. Almost 40 per cent of them are new to the national team set-up, and are still getting used to the flow,” Ambrose was quoted by PTI saying.
“Playing competitive teams will help acclimate them, and gain an understanding of International football,” he stated.
Ambrose said it would be helpful for coaches to identify the players capability.
“It will also help us coaches identify the players who have a strong mentality and tend to take the right decisions even when they are under pressure,” he explained.
Ambrose said that the main objective is to team up for next year’s FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
He said, “Learning never stops, and this is applicable to all.” My players have shown interest, character and dedication to be part of such a big tournament, and the future looks good if they continue to work hard.”
In November 2018, India qualified for the first time in the second round of the 2020 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, after the qualifying tournament began for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Present ranking of the team according to FIFA Women’s World Rankings is 63 and 13th among the Asian countries.
(With PTI Inputs)
