The Blue Tigresses was one of the best in Asia in the mid-1970s to early 1980s, when India finished twice runners up and once third in AFC Women’s Asian Cup, however, since 1983 the performance declined as women’s football failed to gain popularity at all level in every state of India.
The worst time came in June 2009 when FIFA delisted the side from its world rankings for being out of action for more than 18 months.
However, thinks have started changes slowly and after 2009 the AIFF started to put their minds in place to better the condition of the national team and women’s football, which led to commencing SAFF Women’s Championship and also including women’s football in the South Asian Games. Indian team earn massive success in SAFF competitions. Winning the SAFF Women’s Championship five times in row without losing a single game. Additionally they won three gold medals at South Asian Games.
India started participating in Olympic qualifiers, qualified for Asian Games in 2014. In August 2018, Indian women national team was invited to participate in Cotif Tournament where clubs and national and autonomous teams participate every year since 1984,
In November 2018, India qualified to the second round of 2020 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the first time since the qualifying tournament started for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2019 India finished 6th in 8 nations Turkish Women’s Cup.
Last year India again participated in Turkish Women’s Cup and in an invitational four nation tournament at Brazil. They also played a few friendlies and also defeated higher rank Chinese Taipei.
Heading into 2022, one conclusion can be definitively drawn. This will be a make-or-break year for women’s football in the country.
Results have been poor to say the least. They have lost 11 of their 14 matches in 2021. India have lost their last five matches but they have come against stronger opponents – Hammarby, Djurgardens, Brazil, Chile and Venezuela.
2022 will be a significant year for women’s football as India is hosting the AFC Asian Cup for the second time, first was in 1979. India have been clubbed with Iran, Chinese Taipei and China, however, we are expecting fighting performance from the Blue Tigresses.
Before the tournaments starts, let’s rewind our memories with the performance of our team in the earlier editions of the tournaments.
Total 19 editions of AFC Women’s Asian Cup has been completed and India had participated or qualified in eight editions. 1979, 1981, 1983, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001 & 2003.
1979, India was the host nation. It was the third edition of AFC Asian Women’s Cup. Total 6 teams participated. The tournament was played in league format followed by knockout stage. India had two teams in the tournament. India South and India North. India South was the team who finished runners up in that edition. India South defeated Western Australia 2-0, Hong Kong 2-0, India North 1-0 while drew with Chinese Taipei and Malaysia 0-0 in Round One. In semifinal, India defeated Hong Kong 3-1, but lost to Chinese Taipei 0-2 in final to finish Runners-Up.
India North finished last with only one win, they lost 0-3 to Western Australia, 0-1 to India South, 0-3 to Malaysia, 0-5 to Chinese Taipei. They only defeated Hong Kong 1-0.
The fourth edition was hosted by Hong Kong in 1981. Total 8 nations participated. India was placed in Group A. India defeated Singapore 5-0, Philippines 8-0 and drew with Hong Kong 0-0 in Group stage. In semifinal India lost to Thailand 0-1. India secured Third place by defeating Hong Kong 2-0 in third place playoff.
The fifth edition was hosted by Thailand in 1983. Total 6 nations participated in this edition. The tournament was played in league format followed by knockout stage. India defeated Philippines 5-0, Hong Kong 1-0, Malaysia 3-0 and Singapore 1-0. They lost to Thailand 1-2 in group stage and also in final by 0-2 to finish Runners-Up.
India next qualified for the tenth edition, in 1995 at Malaysia. 11 nations played in that edition. India was placed in Group C. The Blue Tigresses lost all their matches, 0-1 to Uzbekistan, 0-6 to Japan and 0-5 to South Korea.
In 1997 at China, India was placed in Group A. India performed better and finished second in group behind Japan, but failed to qualify for the semifinal as best team at second place advanced and North Korea with a better goal average made it to semifinals. India in group stage defeated Hong Kong 3-0, Guam 10-0, but lost to Japan 0-1. India finished fifth in the 11 nation tournament.
In 1999 at Philippines, 15 nations participated. India was clubbed with North Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei in Group A. India only defeated Malaysia 3-0, but lost to North Korea 0-7, Vietnam 0-3 and Chinese Taipei 0-3.
2001 was the thirteenth edition which was hosted by Taiwan with 14 nations. India was placed in Group A. India defeated Malaysia 3-0, but lost to South Korea 0-7, Chinese Taipei 0-5 and Thailand 0-1.
2003 was the last time India qualified for AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The edition was hosted by Thailand with 14 teams. India was in Group C along with Uzbekistan, China and Vietnam. India defeated Uzbekistan 6-0, but lost to Vietnam 1-1 and to China 0-12.
For record, India had played 35 games in the Continental Tournament, winning 16, losing 16 with 3 draw. Scored 63 goals and conceded 61.
