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A historic moment, years in the making
When Sangita Basfore scored from a header in the 74th minute at Chiang Mai,Thailand, it meant far more than just a goal, but rather, a breakthrough. For the first time in history, the Blue Tigresses had successfully qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after going through the qualifiers. In 2022, they entered as hosts and in 2003, there were no qualifiers. This year, there were no technicalities. Their qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 in Australia was the result of grit, perseverance and belief. The 2-1 victory and the celebrations that followed echoed beyond the 700th Anniversary Stadium on July 5, 2025. After years of lack of investment and recognition in the women’s game, the result adds to the rising tide that is now reshaping the trajectory of Women’s football in the subcontinent. To begin with, India had never beaten Thailand before. They had never made it out successfully through qualifiers. But now, both records have been rewritten. And through Sangita - the player who scored both goals on the night - a new face of Indian football has emerged.
What this Means for Indian Football
Coach Crispin Chettri called it a potential “ray of hope” for the entire Indian football ecosystem, which is far from an exaggeration. In India, the sport is still largely dominated by men’s narratives and resources. That being said, a result like this urges one to rethink. The result against Thailand wasn’t just a one-off upset. It is the end product of months of preparation and consistency in execution. India’s withdrawal from the 2022 edition during COVID was no fault of the team, but in the next chance they got, there was no room for error.
Where margins matter, data makes the difference
In a high-stakes clash like the one on Saturday, where the margins between success and heartbreak are extremely thin, data takes center stage. It becomes the edge. India didn’t just prepare with heart; they prepared with insight. From analyzing Thailand’s game to anticipating their passing preferences, India’s tactical approach reflected a preparation that was rooted in specifics - something that goes far beyond the untrained eye. Possession stats were near identical - Thailand’s 53% to India’s 47. Shots on target also followed suit, as both sides had 10 each aimed at goal. While 12 of Thailand’s shots missed the target, India’s record was much better, with just 7 not on target. With the margin’s narrow and stakes high, India succeeded in getting the most important stat of all right. The team held shape, tracked runners, and forced the opposition wide. Even when Thailand struck back early in the second half, India didn’t break formation. They were ready for the hosts’ game plan, and when the time came to strike, they did so, with precision.
The role of smarter Tools in the Women’s game
While the best teams over the globe have long used match analysis and performance data to gain a tactical edge, much of women’s football, that too in developing regions has often had to compete without these tools. But that trend is beginning to shift. Platforms like StepOut are making video and performance metrics more accessible, helping coaches, analysts, and players make more informed decisions. With features like video tagging, tactical summaries, and customizable dashboards, teams can break down matches more effectively and understand not just what happened, but why. For emerging sides, especially at the grassroots level, this kind of insight can be crucial in closing the preparation gap.
Where belief meets evidence
India’s journey to the Asian Cup didn’t just happen by chance. From a 13-0 opening win over Mongolia to surviving Thailand’s relentless pressure in the decider, every step was measured. This team wasn’t just hungry for wins. It was intelligent. They were informed. As head coach Crispin Chettri said, the team’s success was derived from a ‘core group of players that regularly practised with the team’. The former Odisha FC Women’s coach has also made the decision to stick with his current pick of players and to not make major changes as the team heads to the Asian Cup next year. No team can be successful without a strong domestic league and a steady supply of players to choose from. Citing the Indian Women’s League, Chettri argued that the competition needs at least 12 teams; four more than what it currently has. Players getting to showcase their talent on a proper platform is crucial to them being picked according to the head coach. As the players hugged on the pitch and Sangita Basfore wept tears of triumph, it was easy to label the moment emotional. But it was rational even more so. This was a win built on preparation, detail, and clarity of roles. All of these can be reinforced through data. For India, the road to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil now feels a little more real. There’s still a lot to cover, but the path is visible. For once, it feels like the road is theirs to walk.