Indian women’s football team head coach Thomas Dennerby announced a 23-member team on Thursday that will travel to Manaus, Brazil, to play in a four-nation tournament. The Indian team will play against Brazil, Chile and Venezuela as preparation for the forthcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022.

With the team set to depart on Saturday, November 20, 2021, Dennerby stated that all three matches will be tough as they are against “extremely technical” sides.

“Brazil are a really good team. No other team, since I have arrived, has tested our defence as much as Brazil will do next week,” said Dennerby. “In the second game, Chile is another extremely technical side, but with all the hard work we have been doing, we have also raised our levels. The game against Venezuela will also be a particularly tough one for us,” the coach averred.

The Indian team, who are ranked 57 on the FIFA World Rankings, will face off against World No. 7 Brazil on November 25, Chile (World No. 37) on November 28, and Venezuela (World No. 56) on December 1. 

The Confederação Brasileira de Desportos (CBF) has already named the full squad for Brazil, which includes legends of the game like Marta da Silva and Formiga Mota.

Dennerby believes that both the veteran Brazilians are brilliant role models for footballers worldwide and that the Indian players are looking forward to playing against them.

“They have a very good squad with stars like Marta and Formiga. The girls are all looking forward to it. It’s the first time that they will play a team of such stature, and it will be a good experience for them all,” Dennerby stated.

Indian women’s football team squad for Brazil tour 

Goalkeepers: Aditi Chauhan, M Linthoingambi Devi, Sowmiya Narayasamy.

Defenders: Dalima Chhibber, Sweety Devi, Ritu Rani, Ashalata Devi, Manisa Panna, Shilky Devi, Ranjana Chanu, W Linthoingambi Devi.

Midfielders: Indumathi Kathiresan, Sanju, Anju Tamang, Martina Thokchom, Karthika Angamuthu, Kamala Devi.

Forwards: Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Renu, Dangmei Grace, Soumya Guguloth, Mariyammal Balamurugan.

Featured photo: AIFF