India Beat Thailand 2-1 In Asia Cup Qualifier, One Step Nearer To Australia

Sangita Basfore struck each objectives as India defeated Thailand 2-1 to seal qualification to the AFC Girls’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 right here on Saturday. The victory meant India completed with an ideal 12 factors in Group B of the Qualifiers as former champions Thailand missed out. 

That is the primary time the Girls in Blue have certified for the continental cup by the qualifiers route, with their final look within the match coming in 2003. With equivalent factors and purpose distinction, each side wanted a victory, however the tie acquired off to a cagey begin with motion restricted to the center of the pitch.

Thailand loved extra possession, however India have been stable defensively as they labored tirelessly to shut down the areas. Restricted to counterattacks, India made one depend within the twenty ninth minute with a spectacular effort from Sangita.

The transfer began of their half, with Anju Tamang reducing the ball again for the unmarked Sangita, who unleashed her shot from simply outdoors the field previous a despairing Tiffany Sornpao.

Stung by the purpose, Thailand upped their tempo however discovered India a resilient lot, with the hosts restricted to half probabilities because the South Asian aspect went into the break forward.

Thailand, nonetheless, wanted solely two minutes into the restart to attract degree with Chatchawan Rodthong having fun with a stroke of luck as her shot from distance took a depraved bounce to beat India goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi earlier than settling within the web.

India, nonetheless, refused to let Thailand construct on the purpose, and their willpower paid dividends within the 74th minute.

Defender Nirmala Devi floated her nook throughout the face of the goalmouth, with the ball discovering Shilky Devi, who nodded it throughout for Sangita to go dwelling previous a static Thai defence as India took their place at Australia 2026.