New Delhi, Jan 9 : In the lead up to the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, India played in six different countries last year. Wing back Dalima Chhibber believes that the experience earned, especially in Brazil, was a big learning curve for the national team.

With less than two weeks left for the mega event to kick-off, the players in the Blue Tigresses’ camp are as excited as ever, to get the ball rolling on January 20, when they face Iran.

“A lot has changed, especially the number of exposure matches that we have been playing in Brazil, Sweden, Turkey and so on. Brazil was a big learning curve for us, to see the hub of football culture and to understand what football really means to everyone there,” said Dalima while speaking live on AIFF TV.

“We’ve been preparing for a while now, and we have all been together for six months with a number of exposure matches. We’ve had some good wins, and we have had a few losses as well,” Dalima expressed. “But the most important thing is that we have learnt a lot. We are all excited, and can’t wait to get going.”

India have moved forward together, with an influx of youngsters coming in from the U-17 and the U-19 sides in recent years. Those that have come in from the junior teams of the yesteryears, including Dalima, have now begun to take leadership roles in this young squad.

The 24-year-old Dalima maintained the entry of youngsters in the national team has made the rest more responsible athletes.

“I was one of the youngsters before, looking up to the other players. Now, there are so many youngsters who have come in from the U-17 and U-19 squads, and they look up to us.

“That has changed the approach a bit. With the new players coming in, the responsibility falls on us to make them comfortable. But other than that, it’s still the same,” she added.

Head coach Thomas Dennerby took over the senior team in August, bringing in the experience of coaching in Sweden and Nigeria as well.

“I think the coach has given us a lot of confidence. He gives us a pep talk before every game, and he tells us how we are all capable, and how much he and the staff believe in us all. For me, personally, that gives a lot of confidence to fight it out,” she informed.

“He has brought in a mental toughness in the squad – whether it’s chanting, whether it’s running, whether it’s conditioning, whether it’s speed, whether it’s the technical aspect, or it’s a tactical aspect.

“We’ve been able to focus on every part of the game in detail. We’ve been able to highlight that we’ve been able to improve. We’ve been able to come together as a team, and improve our games building up to the Asian Cup.

Dalima also echoed the team dream to reach the FIFA World Cup. She said that during the trip to Brazil, the Indians realised what world football looks like and how the top teams go about their business.

“The dream for us is to reach the FIFA World Cup. So when we went to Brazil to play against Brazil, it was a dream come true. But like going to Brazil playing against those teams was the start of a dream because we know where we have to be.

“And that was just like a stepping stone. We realised what world football is like, and what kind of football the teams that are at the top level who play in the World Cup and Olympics play. So for us it was a very big learning curve,” she signed off.(UNI)