International friendly: India women gear up for Maldives clash

The Blue Tigresses will face a tough challenge against Maldives.

The Indian senior women’s football team are set to play two FIFA international friendlies against Maldives on December 30, 2024, and January 2, 2025, in Bengaluru. These matches will mark the final outings for the Indian team this year, offering them an opportunity to regain momentum amid a challenging phase.

India is currently experiencing a turbulent run, having won only five of their last 17 matches. This slump has seen the team drop to their lowest-ever FIFA ranking of 69. With the 2026 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on the horizon, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is keen to improve their ranking to secure a more favorable pot position in the continental tournament qualifiers.

The AIFF announced the  fixtures on their social media handles which read, “The Indian senior women’s team will play two FIFA international friendly matches against Maldives on December 30 and January 2 in Bengaluru.”

The friendlies against Maldives provide a crucial opportunity for the team to work on their strategy, boost morale, and regain confidence. India’s attacking and defensive dynamics will likely be under scrutiny as the coaching staff aims to iron out weaknesses before entering competitive qualifiers.

Maldives, meanwhile, are also looking to rebuild after a dismal performance at the recently concluded SAFF Women’s Championship in Nepal. The team conceded a staggering 25 goals in just three matches, raising serious questions about their defensive organization and overall competitiveness.

Most of the Indian National Team players haven’t played a single minute of competitive club football ever since a dismal SAFF campaign. However, Santosh Kashyap and his coaching staff will have an eye on the players plying their trade in the Rajmata Jijabai  Trophy where most of the senior players are participating.

These fixtures will also be a litmus test for Santosh Kashyap who has received a lot of criticism from the Indian Football faithful. It will be interesting to see how the Blue Tigresess fare in these fixtures, especially after a series of poor performances in the last couple of years.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.