The Indian women's national team secured a record-breaking victory recently, marking a significant milestone in the team's journey. While the win sparked celebrations, head coach Crispin Chettri remains grounded, emphasizing that there is still room for improvement.

Chettri, appointed as the head coach in February 2025, has been steering the team through a crucial transition phase. His focus extends beyond immediate results, with a clear vision of developing a strong foundation for the future, particularly with an eye on the 2031 generation of players. This long-term perspective is coupled with the immediate challenge of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

"We are moving in the right direction," Chettri stated in a recent press conference. "The team have had almost 25 days of preparation, everything's going as per the expectations." He acknowledges the blend of youth and experience within the squad, highlighting the importance of senior players like Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, Grace Dangmei, Sweety Devi Ngangbam, Anju Tamang, and Ratan Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi in guiding the younger talents. At the same time, he recognizes the absence of key players such as Ashalata Devi Loitongbam, Dalima Chhibber, Aditi Chauhan, and Indumathi Kathiresan, underscoring the ongoing transition.

Chettri's approach involves creating a larger pool of players through scouting and ensuring fair opportunities for everyone, not just those already in the Indian Women's League (IWL). He aims to instill a winning culture and mentality within the team, emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude even in the face of setbacks.

India is placed in Group B of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers and will face Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Iraq, and Thailand. Chettri acknowledges the challenges ahead, particularly the competition from strong teams like Thailand. However, he maintains a focused approach, emphasizing the importance of taking each match one at a time.

"Women's football is progressing in Asia, and everyone, the coaches and the players, are here to learn," Chettri stated. "For us, India, it's a big challenge. Competing with teams like Iraq, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, and especially, Thailand. But we are focused on one match at a time, and are looking forward to the Mongolia match."

Prior to the qualifiers, India played two friendly matches against Uzbekistan. Chettri used these games to experiment with different combinations and provide opportunities for players to gain experience. He noted that while the team created more chances in the second game, conversion remained an area for improvement.

Chettri's long-term vision and immediate objectives highlight his commitment to the growth of women's football in India. While the record-breaking win is a cause for celebration, his focus remains on continuous improvement and preparing the team for the challenges ahead, and building for the future of Indian women's football.