Turkish Women’s Cup 2024 : India vs Estonia

Football Accent :

Preview :

Senior Indian Women’s National Football Team visit Turkey to participate in the 4-nation tournament, Turkish Women’s Cup 2024 which set to begin from 21 February at the Gold City Sports Complex in Alanya . Estonia, Hong Kong and Kosovo are the other participating teams.

In the opening fixture of the tournament , the Blue Tigresses to face Estonia at 7 pm IST on 21 February, 2024 . Currently , India is in 65th place in the FIFA Ranking while Estonia is in 98th .

It will not be an easy game for the women in blue to face a unknown opponent like Estonia, India have never faced before. Though, Estonia is much behind from India in the FIFA Ranking, European sides are always tough to beat . But it’s a chance to create history as India look to register their first-ever win over a UEFA side in an official match.

The record 11-time Women’s Baltic Cup champions contested the Turkish Women’s Cup in 2023 as well, recording a 1-2 loss to Kosovo, followed by a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia.

In their last participation in 2021 , India play 3 friendlies against 3 higher ranked sides – Serbia , Russia and Ukraine. Though, the Blue Tigresses had face defeat in all three games . The performance in 2-3 lost against the side like Ukraine was memorable.

Estonia are led by two local head coaches, Anastassia Morkovkina and Sirje Kapper – both former internationals. Morkovnina is Estonia’s all-time top scorer. And they comes with young squad, 13 out of 22 players born in 2000 or later . The goalscoring responsibilities are mostly shouldered by 25-year-old Lisette Tammik, who netted six of Estonia’s 11 goals in the 2023-24 UEFA Women’s Nations League C as they finished 2nd in Group 4 with 10 points after beating Armenia and Kazakhstan.

India also included some youth players in their current squad. Langam Chaoba Devi, who has been handed over the baton of head coach for the first time, said getting international exposure is advantageous for the young girls. “We have three players who have played in the U17 World Cup, but the senior level is different. They will see how European teams play and this will benefit them. I’m confident that we will do our best in these three matches and go all out to win. We have seen and analysed the matches of our opponents.

“The environment in the camp was good. We have a good mix of young and experienced players. We are trying to help them bond together, which is very important because football is a team game. The girls are giving their best and are composed,” she added.

Chaoba said, is not exactly a completely new experience for her. “This is my first tournament as senior India head coach, but I’m not new to the girls. I was with them three to four years ago. I have a very good understanding with them. They have prepared fantastically in the last one week.”

“We had seven good days in the Bengaluru camp and our preparation was good. We have been concentrating on defending because we are playing against physically strong countries. Our girls are fit as we are in the middle of the IWL season. I have full confidence in my squad” , she said ahead of the first match.

Fixture :

India vs Estonia

Wednesday, 21 February, 2024

Time – 7 pm IST

Venue – Gold City Sports Complex , Alanya

Live Telecast Information :

The broadcast details are still not announced…