AFC Olympic QFs Round 1: India eye year's first win against Kyrgyz Republic

The Blue Tigresses have lost two games and drawn three games in 2023.

At the culmination of a long camp and multiple friendlies, the Blue Tigresses will play the first of the two-legged tie in the AFC Olympic Qualifiers Round 1, against hosts Kyrgyz Republic at the Dolon Omurzakov Stadium on April 4, 2023. The game will kick off at 1930 hrs IST.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, India Women’s National Team head coach Thomas Dennerby expressed excitement at finally getting to game day.

"We have been preparing for this moment for a long time," he said. "And now that it’s here it’s time to perform and make sure we get the right results."

The Blue Tigresses have played five games this year and are yet to register a win. Their three draws and two losses have indicated that there is a lot to build on, even if the results haven't always been forthcoming. Dennerby hopes that the duck breaks at the right time, when it really matters.

While keen to see his side play good football, Dennerby emphasised that the need to exact a result was more important than anything else. He was also keen to highlight that the hosts would not be easy pushovers.

"It is never easy to beat host teams and the players are aware of that," he said. "The Kyrgyz Republic will be keen to get a good result at home and they will utilise the conditions well."

Turkmenistan’s withdrawal from the competition has turned this group into a straight two game shootout. Coach Dennerby insisted though that it didn’t make any difference in the way the team prepared for the games itself.

"We will still play two games," he said. "And it’s still the same approach. We have to win both games. In our conversations, we have said that clearly. Tomorrow is one-half. Then we play the second half after that. For now, the focus is on tomorrow."

The game will be broadcast on the Kyrgyz Football Union's official YouTube page.