Mumbai, Jan 19 : India head coach Thomas Dennerby and his team will be eyeing nothing less than victory against Iran in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Group A match at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai on January 20.

Despite having beaten the Central Asians in their previous meeting at the 2019 Women’s Gold Cup, the coach does not want India to take their opponents lightly.

“The Iran match is going to be tough as we know that they are fighters with a strong defence. They will be playing a low block which will be a challenge for us to score,” said Dennerby on the eve of the match.

“But I’m confident we will be able to create chances. We need to perform well to win. Since I have taken charge of the team the focus has been to play together as a unit. Knowing how and when to press. We have reduced the number of long balls, and are now focusing on playing through the middle to penetrate.”

India had a successful build-up with tours to Brazil, Sweden, Turkey, Bahrain and the UAE before the team settled in Kochi for centralised training ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on home soil.

“We are happy with the preparations as we have been working hard for a long time. We have spent a long time working together with more than 200 sessions – tactical, technical, and physical. We feel we are ready and our target is to qualify for the quarter-finals, and we think it’s a realistic target.”

“We will try to stay relaxed and focused. The players are in good shape, and they are confident. At the end, it is a football game and that is what these girls are good at. If we have a successful tournament, it will have a huge impact on the future. It’s a big country and being successful will only increase the number of players at all levels, from grassroots to senior level.”

While India are prepared to make their ninth appearance, Iran head coach Maryam Irandoost is hoping to make a positive start in their maiden AFC Women’s Asian Cup appearance.

“This will be our first AFC Women’s Asian Cup appearance and we are grateful to be here and competing among the best teams in Asia,” said Irandoost.

“Iran are debutants in the competition but we are not an easy team to beat. We are here to show the Asian teams how powerful we are. Despite our lack of experience, the team is motivated, and has worked hard. We have reached this level and we are ready.”

Iran attempted to qualify for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2010, 2014 and 2018 only to come up short. However, a spirited performance in the qualifiers earned them a place in the 2022 edition.

With India as their first opponents, Irandoost knows that the match against the South Asians will be a stern test for her charges given the exposure and experience of India.

“We have analysed the Indian team and are aware that they are strong and fast. The opener is one for everyone to look forward to. Our team could be a role model for the Iranian women athletes.

“The condition for the country’s sportswomen has started to develop and is getting better day by day. Australia, China, Korea and Japan are favourites to win the title but we are here to do our best as well,” she added.

The match begins at 7:30 PM IST.(UNI)